MCALLEN, Texas-A South Texas man has been arrested and charged with shining a laser at a Border Patrol helicopter.
A federal affidavit alleges Juan Peralez pointed the laser at the helicopter about 1 a.m. Monday, prompting the pilot to take evasive action to avoid being blinded. Another member of the aircraft crew directed Borde3r Patrol agents on the ground to the source of the laser, where Peralez was seen aiming the laser at the helicopter.
The 57-year-old La Joya (HOY'-uh) man was arrested late Thursday and made an initial appearance before a federal magistrate Friday in McAllen.
If convicted, he could get up to five years in federal prison and $250,000 in fines.
Peralez is free on bond. He has no published telephone number and no attorney listed in jail records.