Rockford man faces up to five years in prison and a quarter-million dollar fine

Posted on August 21, 2019
The man admitted pointing the beam at the plane (WJBC FILE PHOTO)

 

By Howard Packowitz

ROCKFORD– Federal prosecutors are throwing the book at a Rockford man who admits aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an airplane flying overhead.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says 45-year old Brenton Wells pleaded guilty to the charge on Tuesday, and faces up to five years in prison and a quarter-million dollar fine.

Authorities say Wells was standing in the backyard of a Rockford home last December and knowingly aimed a laser pointer at the aircraft as it flew overhead.

His sentencing is set for December 10th.

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