Man sentenced in laser incident at Cape Fear Jetport

OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — The man convicted of pointing a laser at a pilot over Oak Island avoids jail time.

Christopher Lee Funk (Source: Brunswick County Jail)

A spokesperson with the U.S. Department of Justice said Christopher Lee Funk, 35, was sentenced today to five years probation and 200 hours of community service.

On May 6, 2014, Funk struck a student pilot and flight instructor in a helicopter around midnight as they were practicing landing. When the student pilot tried to land in an area away from the beam, Funk struck the helicopter a second time from a residence nearby. Funk admitted to police searching the area that he may have shined the laser. The laser was seized by police at the location.

About a year later, Funk pleaded guilty to the charge in federal court.