Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
- Patrol Operations Bureau
- Flight Unit

Josiah Sullivan (Suspect - Arrested)
DOB: 05/21/2010
Address: 1040 Clearwater Largo Road, #109
Charge: Felony Misuse of a Laser Lighting Device

PINELLAS COUNTY - Deputies assigned to the Patrol Operations Bureau arrested a juvenile for felony Misuse of a Laser Lighting Device, after he pointed a laser at the Sheriff’s Office helicopter.

According to deputies, on Thursday, April 19, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office helicopter was airborne in the area of 7^th Street Northwest and 11^th Avenue in Largo, when a green laser lighting device was shined at the helicopter. Flight deputies maintained visual on the suspect and directed patrol deputies on the ground to the suspect’s location.

Deputies made contact with 13-year-old Josiah Sullivan, who admitted to illuminating the helicopter with the laser lighting device. The laser used by Sullivan was recovered on his person, which was a flare gun with a mounted laser. Sullivan told deputies he intentionally aimed the laser at the helicopter because he was bored. 

Per Florida State Statute, it is a third-degree felony for any person who knowingly and willfully shines, points, or focuses the beam of a laser lighting device on an individual operating a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft.

Sullivan was arrested and charged with felony Misuse of a Laser Lighting Device and transported to the Pinellas County Juvenile Assessment Center.

To view the flight footage, click here: https://bit.ly/49Kn9NT

The investigation continues.