Unusual Crimes

Dallas FBI takes aim at laser pointer crime

It's already a federal crime to direct a laser pointer at a plane, but a recent increase in activity has prompted the FBI to step up enforcement.

For the next three months, the FBI will offer a $10,000 reward for information on laser pointer crimes in 56 cities, including Dallas.

"Since the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration began tracking laser strikes in 2005, data shows a more than 1,100 percent increase in the deliberate targeting of aircraft by people with handheld lasers," the FBI said in a statement.

Dallas officials reported 90 so-called "lasing crimes" in 2013, compared to 25 incidents in El Paso; 149 in San Antonio and 155 in Houston. According to the FBI, the strikes occur between midnight and 7 am and are usually committed either by teens or adults between the ages of 35-45.

"The expansion of this campaign will promote greater awareness and understanding of the threat that lasing poses to pilots and the public," Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Diego Rodriguez said.

Federal law classifies knowingly aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft as a felony offense. It carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Under Texas state law, the action is a Class A misdemeanor and carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000.

Anyone with information on a laser pointing crime is asked to call the Dallas FBI at 972-559-5000 or 911.

Laser pointers can be used to commit felonies.

Photo via Winnpeg Crime Files

Laser pointers can be used to commit felonies.

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Weed News

Texas AG Ken Paxton sues Dallas over decriminalization of marijuana

Photo courtesy of US Fish & Wildlife

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The City of Dallas has been sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for its efforts to decriminalize marijuana.

According to a release, Paxton has sued the city for adopting a city charter amendment that would decriminalize marijuana-related offenses and prohibit police from enforcing Texas law.

That amendment was Proposition R, or Dallas Freedom Act, which decriminalizes possession of four ounces of marijuana or less. Voters passed the amendment in the November 5 election, with 67 percent voting in favor.

The lawsuit, filed against the Dallas City Council, alleges that Proposition R is unconstitutional and violates Texas drug laws criminalizing any amount of marijuana.

Paxton says that cities can't "pick and choose which state laws to follow." He's proposing a permanent injunction to stop Proposition R from going into effect.

"The City of Dallas has no authority to override Texas drug laws or prohibit the police from enforcing them," says Paxton in a statement. "This is a backdoor attempt to violate the Texas Constitution, and any city that tries to constrain police in this fashion will be met swiftly with a lawsuit by my office.”

Before the recent election, possession of two to four ounces of marijuana could result in a punishment of 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Ground Game Texas, the activist nonprofit that has also helped get marijuana decriminalization on the ballot in elections across Texas, first got the issue on the ballot in July with the necessary 50,000 signatures.

Dallas is not the only city to be sued; Paxton also filed lawsuits against five other cities in Austin, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and San Marcos in January for their ballots and policies decriminalizing marijuana.

Both Austin and San Marcos had a judge overturn their cases, according to a FOX 4 report.

marijuana