• A man was arrested for allegedly aiming a laser pointer at Marine One.
• Jacob Samuel Winkler faces charges that could lead to five years in prison.
• The act was seen as a potential threat to flight safety according to authorities.

Jacob Samuel Winkler, a 33-year-old from Washington, D.C., was arrested on federal charges for allegedly aiming a laser pointer at Marine One while President Trump was aboard. The incident occurred as Marine One departed the White House on Saturday evening, leading to Winkler being charged with a felony that carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, according to CBS News and TRT Global.

According to court documents, Winkler was spotted by a Secret Service officer, Diego Santiago, behaving erratically on Constitution Avenue. After turning his laser pointer on the officer, he subsequently aimed it at Marine One as it flew low near the Washington Monument. This behavior was noted to "pose a risk of flash blindness and pilot disorientation," which could have jeopardized the aircraft’s safety, as reported by India Times and TRT Global.

Winkler's arrest revealed his admission to regularly targeting objects with the laser, such as stop signs, under the impression that it was a harmless act. "I should apologize to Donald Trump," he reportedly stated after his detention, reflecting his apparent misunderstanding of the seriousness of his actions. Law enforcement also located a small knife on his person at the time of the arrest, according to CBS News and India Times.

The Federal Aviation Administration recognizes laser strikes as a significant safety concern for pilots, prompting stern warnings about their potential to cause serious accidents. With 5,913 laser incidents documented so far this year, safety officials emphasize that such actions are not only illegal but carry severe penalties, including significant fines and imprisonment, according to CBS News and India Times.