Accused illegal immigrants who allegedly pointed lasers at fed helicopter arrested

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested four illegal immigrants at a Portland, Ore., residence following an investigation into a laser incident, the Homeland Security Department said on Tuesday. At least one of the men aimed a laser at a Customs and Border Patrol helicopter and one other aircraft on Saturday night, according to FBI Portland.

Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is a federal crime, as it can temporarily blind a pilot and create a dangerous situation, according to DHS. Investigators traced the laser to the house where they later found the four men.

All of the detainees had illegally entered the United States from Mexico, according to authorities. One of them had previously been arrested for methamphetamine possession and second-degree criminal trespassing, as well as for several immigration violations, according to DHS.

Dig deeper: Read my report on the death of a detainee who was critically wounded in an attack on a Dallas ICE facility.