Grand Island man sentenced in laser assault case

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - A Grand Island man received probation after police said he pointed a powerful laser at one of their officers.

According to Hall County District Court documents, 21-year-old Lakota Hawkes was sentenced to two years of probation and 10 days of jail time, with two days of credit for time served.

Hawkes was sentenced for misdemeanor 3rd degree assault. This charged was reduced from the original charge of felony 2nd degree assault on an officer. In December, he pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge.

The case stems from an incident back on June 4, when an officer reported that Hawkes pointed a laser at him twice impairing his vision. Police said the officer experienced spots in his vision, eye pain and a headache. It’s not clear if the laser caused further damage.

Grand Island Police said the laser used was strong enough to start fires. A typical laser pointer is rated at 5 milliwatts. The laser used June 4 was 50,000 milliwatts, 10,000 times stronger.