(Los Angeles, CA) -- A Southern California man is the first person in the nation to be sentenced to prison time for aiming a laser at a commercial aircraft.

Thirty-seven-year-old Dana Welch was found guilty last April of aiming a laser at airliners as they approached John Wayne Airport in Orange County.

On Monday, he was sentenced to two-and-a-half-years in federal prison.

In one case, the laser was aimed at a United Airlines jet carrying more than 180 passengers and crew.

The beam struck the pilot in the eye, causing temporary blindness.

In another case, Welch pointed his laser at an Alaska Airlines plane.

One pilot ducked under a glare shield while the other delayed a critical turn necessary for landing, putting the aircraft and all aboard in danger.

Following his arrest, Welch admitted aiming the hand-held laser at the planes and at a law enforcement helicopter that was sent to investigate the incidents.

In addition to the jail time, Welch has been ordered to serve three years of supervised release after he gets out of prison.

　

(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)