St. Paul Man Charged After Allegedly Shining Laser at Minnesota State Patrol Helicopter, Criminal Complaint Says
Photo: MN Department of Public Safety
Published: April 17th 2026
SAINT PAUL MN: A St. Paul man has been charged in Ramsey County after allegedly shining a laser at a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter, according to a criminal complaint.
Dashawn Lamar Jones, 34, is charged with one gross misdemeanor count of aiming and discharging a laser or other light at an aircraft while landing or taking off. The charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 364 days in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 31, 2025, at approximately 1:37 a.m., the pilot of the Minnesota State Patrol helicopter reported receiving laser strikes from the area of Dale Street and University Avenue in St. Paul.
The complaint states two individuals were seen in the area and fled in opposite directions. Troopers stopped Jones, who was traveling westbound on a bicycle. He was initially released because of confusion over whether the person involved had been riding a bicycle or scooter.
After the pilot later clarified that the individual appeared to be riding something with a taillight, troopers stopped Jones again near Edmund Avenue and Oxford Street, according to the criminal complaint.
During that second stop, Jones allegedly told troopers he had shined a laser at the helicopter and thrown the device away between the two stops. Troopers then searched the area Jones identified and located a laser pointer underneath the front of a parked vehicle, the complaint states.
The criminal complaint states the device emitted a green laser, matching the color reportedly used on the helicopter. Investigators also reviewed video footage that allegedly showed Jones pointing the laser at the aircraft.
According to the complaint, the second individual told troopers that Jones was the person pointing the laser at the helicopter and said he had told Jones to stop.
Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.