A man identified as Jacob Samuel Winkler was taken into custody on September 20, 2025, after the U.S. Secret Service accused him of pointing a laser at Marine One while President Donald Trump was on board.
According to a criminal complaint filed on September 22, Winkler faces one federal felony count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, a crime punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
Incident Details
Secret Service Officer Diego Santiago, who authored the charging document, reported that Winkler was spotted shirtless, “talking to himself and being loud,” near the White House as Marine One prepared for takeoff.
When Santiago illuminated Winkler with a flashlight, the suspect allegedly aimed a red laser directly at the officer’s eyes, briefly disorienting him. Moments later, Winkler allegedly directed the laser beam upward toward Marine One, which was still low in the air.
Santiago wrote that the action created a significant danger to the helicopter, the president, and crew on board:
“(Winkler’s) conduct posed a risk of flash blindness and pilot disorientation, especially during low-level flight near other helicopters and the Washington Monument. This placed Marine One at risk of an airborne collision.”
Additional Threats and Evidence
Upon arrest, authorities say Winkler was found carrying a three-inch fixed-blade knife. Investigators confiscated the laser pointer and detained him without further incident.
As he was handcuffed, Winkler reportedly fell to his knees and repeated:
- “I should apologize to Donald Trump.”
- “I apologize to Donald Trump.”
He also told police that he did not realize it was illegal to point a laser at Marine One, claiming he regularly pointed it at “all kinds of things,” including stop signs.
Presidential Schedule That Day
On September 20, Trump’s schedule included golf at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, followed by the American Cornerstone Institute’s Founder’s Dinner at the historic Mount Vernon estate. Marine One transported him during these engagements.
Federal Aviation Concerns
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has long warned of the dangers of laser strikes on aircraft. Such incidents can incapacitate pilots, cause flash blindness, and lead to catastrophic crashes.
In 2024, more than 12,000 laser strike incidents were reported by pilots nationwide, underscoring the seriousness of the threat.
Legal Next Steps
It is not yet clear when Winkler will make his first federal court appearance or whether he has retained legal counsel.
