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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — According to the Kern County Sheriff's Office, a man has been arrested for shining a strobe light at a KCSO helicopter on March 22.
Around 10 p.m., KCSO crew members reported someone flashing a light at the helicopter, disrupting safe operations. Someone used a high-powered flashlight with a strobe function and tracked their descent to the hangar, making it "impossible" for the crew to see, according to KCSO.
20-year-old John Howten was arrested and booked on
PC 248,
a charge of "shining light at an aircraft to impair operation". KCSO says it will be considering federal prosecution as well.
