MEMPHIS, July 20 (UPI) -- Two Tennessee men were indicted for allegedly shining laser beams at boat captains, police officers and airplane and helicopter pilots, court records show.
David Erminger, 27, and Matthew Mauck, 33, both of Memphis, were arrested during the weekend and indicted Monday on federal charges relating to crimes of violence against maritime navigation and sabotage of aircraft, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported Tuesday.
A third suspect, Todd Michael Manz, 43, of Fostoria, Ohio, also arrested at the time was not indicted.
The U.S. Coast Guard earlier this month began receiving complaints from towboat captains that they were being targeted by extremely bright green laser beams that appeared to be coming from the top of an apartment building in the area where the men reside. On Friday, FedEx jet pilots made a similar complaint, the newspaper said.
On Saturday, two Memphis police officers, thinking they were being targeted by a gun, said green lasers were pointed at their chests and heads, and immediately left the area.
A short time later, a green laser was shined in the faces of two officers in a police helicopter, but they were able to direct other police to the apartment rooftop where the two men were arrested.
Health experts say laser beams can cause distractions, temporary blindness or damage to the eye's retina.
Erminger and Mauck were released on $10,000 bond and must wear electronic monitors and avoid alcohol, drugs and lasers.
Manz is in federal custody and has a detention and probable-cause hearing scheduled for Thursday.
