Columbia Falls man sentenced to prison for pointing a laser at a helicopter

MISSOULA – A Columbia Falls man who pointed a laser-mounted firearm at a helicopter was sentenced today 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, 57, pleaded guilty in March 2025 to one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.

The government alleged in court documents that Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies received a report from a delivery driver that had a green laser pointed at his vehicle and then heard a gunshot in Columbia Falls, Montana. Another witness also reported Myers had pointed a gun at her and discharged it at the ground. As deputies were interviewing the witness, they continued to hear gunshots coming from the area. Aerial surveillance was requested.

A helicopter equipped with thermal-capable cameras was able to locate Myers outside his residence with a firearm. Myers repeatedly pointed the firearm with a laser mounted on it 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 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 U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the ATF and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

XXX