PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – A 61-year-old Ohio man was arrested in St. Pete Beach on Thursday night for pointing a laser at a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office helicopter.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies from the Patrol Operations Bureau made the arrest after an airborne sheriff’s office helicopter was illuminated by a green laser multiple times.
The incident occurred on March 27, 2025, at approximately 10:47 p.m. The helicopter was assisting deputies with an Aggravated Assault call in the area of 6850 Beach Plaza when the flight crew noticed the laser.
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Flight deputies were able to track the laser’s source to a balcony at a condo located at 6083 Bahia Del Mar Circle, unit 360.
Deputies made contact with Dann Wagner, 61, who admitted to using the laser lighting device to illuminate the helicopter.
Under Florida State Statute, it is a third-degree felony to knowingly and willfully shine, point, or focus the beam of a laser lighting device on an individual operating a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft.
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Wagner was arrested and charged with one count of felony Misuse of a Laser Lighting Device. He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.
Mr. Wagner is from Marblehead, Ohio.
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