COEUR D’ALENE, ID – A Post Falls man was sentenced this week to 35 months in federal prison for aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced Friday morning. The man will serve an additional 3 years on supervised release after he is released from prison.
According to court records, 31-year-old Aspen August Schaffer, was indicted in September 2024 by a grand jury and charged with aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft in violation of federal law. On August 16, 2024, Schaffer was out with friends and pointed a bright green laser at the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office helicopter as it flew overhead. The laser struck the helicopter multiple times and impaired the vision of the pilot, the sergeant and the deputy who were on board. The helicopter lost altitude, but the pilot regained control and brought the helicopter back up to altitude. Law enforcement tracked the car Schaffer was in and arrested him. Schaffer had a blood alcohol level of .11 when he was booked into jail. Schaffer was known to law enforcement and has prior felony convictions.
Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Coeur d’Alene Police Department which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Traci J. Whelan prosecuted the case.
