LOS ANGELES—A previously convicted 47-year-old Santa Ana man is expected to plead guilty Nov. 29 to aiming a laser at an Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter pilot.
Eric Suarez admitted in his plea agreement that on April 13, 2020, he was sitting alone in his parked car when he “intentionally pointed a high-intensity green laser beam” at the helicopter, striking the cockpit at least four times with the beam. The beam blinded the pilot and tactical flight officer for several seconds, impacting their ability to see the ground and detect hazards.
