Very interesting story.
Just some interesting bits that stuck with me;
David Banach, 38, a fiber optics technician
The lawyer for Mr. Banach said had he used a Jasper laser pen, a midrange or Class 3a laser with a strength of up to five milliwatts, which he had bought online for about $100.
The man, David W. Banach, 39, of Parsippany, N.J., could have faced up to 20 years in prison under the Patriot Act but reached a plea deal in which prosecutors agreed not to pursue charges that he lied about his actions when questioned by federal agents.
After a lengthy interrogation that included a polygraph test, however, he admitted that "he had lied to law enforcement," the complaint states, and that he had shined the laser on the helicopter and on the Cessna. Both were flying at about 3,000 feet. The Cessna was approaching Teterboro Airport, about 25 miles from Mr. Banach's home, at the time of the incident.
The guy most likely knew a bit about lasers.
Christie was trying to make a name for himself.
One very important detail. At the end they determined that this guy was not a terrorist, but they still wanted to make a sacrificial lamb out of him. The way they did this was not related to lasers, but to the fact that he lied.
It is illegal to lie to law enforcement. It's a screwed up system, but the fact of the matter is if you lie to a federal agent, you can be face up to 20 years in prison.
Not defending his actions, but in light of the ridiculous prosecution, bear this in mind;
NEVER EVER TALK TO COPS. Not regular cops, and especially not to any kind of federal agents. If you do, if you mislead them, lie openly, or even commit a lie of omission, you leave yourself open to prosecution from some sleazeball that cares nothing for justice.
If cops need something from you, they can send you a court ordered subpoena. If they need to search you, or your property, they can get a warrant.
Had this man kept his mouth shut, odds are his life would not have been turned upside down, and his daughter wouldn't still be crying about it 10 years later.