LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky State Police arrested a Lexington man early Tuesday after he allegedly pointed a laser at a KSP helicopter returning from a rescue mission in Red River Gorge, according to a statement from KSP Post 12.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 25 as the KSP Bell 429 aircraft was returning to Frankfort following a successful rescue of an injured hiker at Red River Gorge. KSP pilots reported that a person riding a moped near West Loudon Street in Lexington pointed a laser at the aircraft.

KSP troopers and Lexington Police Department officers responded to the area and located Marcus R. Smith, 39, of Lexington, in an alley near North Broadway Street. Troopers recovered the laser believed to have been used in the incident.

Smith was charged with Laser/Vision Interference, Tampering with Physical Evidence, No Operator's License for a Moped, Criminal Trespassing, No Registration, and Failure to Maintain Insurance. Possible federal charges are pending, which could carry penalties of up to five years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000.

Post 12 Public Affairs Officer Andy Stepp emphasized the serious danger posed by laser strikes. "Laser strikes can alter the intended flight path or cause temporary visual disturbances for the pilot and flight crew. These are not harmless pranks. They violate federal law and can have dangerous consequences for everyone involved, both in the air and on the ground," Stepp said.