(MISSOULA) – A Columbia Falls man who pointed a firearm-mounted laser sight at a helicopter was sentenced on Thursday, July 30th, to eight months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and a $15,000 fine, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Travis Kurt Myers, pleaded guilty in March 2025 to one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft. The government alleged in court documents that a Flathead A helicopter equipped with thermal-capable cameras was able to locate Myers outside his residence with a firearm. Myers repeatedly pointed the firearm and laser sight at the helicopter.
The pilots were able to see the laser and able to capture it on their cameras. The pilots observed the gun being fired but were unsure if he had it pointed in their direction. Law enforcement officers on the ground near Myers’ residence could hear the helicopter in flight, supporting statements that Myers had knowledge he was aiming the laser at the helicopter.
Law enforcement took Myers into custody without incident. They obtained a search warrant for the property and located numerous firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammo. They located an unregistered silencer and a rifle with a green laser attached.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.
