Student pilot charged with shining laser light at plane at Daytona airport, cops say

Daytona Beach police arrested a man who they say shined a laser light at a plane at the Daytona Beach International Airport on Sunday. 

Gerardo Sanchez, 23, was charged with pointing a laser light at a driver or pilot in the incident at the airport.

Police said they received a report of the laser light from the aviation tower at the airport just after 10 p.m. When they arrived, they found Sanchez, who told them he was studying to be a pilot, walking on Clyde Morris Boulevard and questioned him about the laser, according to the report.

The American Airlines pilot told police that he was trying to land the plane when he was struck in the eyes with a green laser light for approximately one to two seconds, police said. Sanchez also pointed the light at the aviation tower, according to the report.

Sanchez was arrested on a felony charge.