A 43-year-old Colorado man has pleaded guilty to aiming a laser pointer at a Denver police helicopter earlier this year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

Kevin William Adamchak of Franktown pleaded guilty to one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft for the March 2, 2023 incident and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7, 2024, officials said.

In the incident, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Adamchak aimed a blue laser at the Denver Police Department’s “Air 1” chopper as it was performing aerial surveillance.

Using thermal imaging and a camera, police were able to determine the laser was aimed from a parking lot at East 55th Avenue and Logan Court in Denver. The crew in the helicopter was able to locate the suspect, later identified as Adamchak, officials said.

“What some may think is just a prank—pointing a laser pointer at an aircraft—actually presents a deadly risk to people in the aircraft and on the ground,” United States Attorney Cole Finegan said in a news release. “We hope that this case will raise public awareness of these serious dangers.”

The pilot of Air 1 said the laser “caused flash blindness and intense pain in both of his eyes,” according to a news release announcing the guilty plea.

Fortunately, the pilot was able to maintain control of the helicopter.

“A laser strike on an aircraft is not a game,” FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek said in a news release. “It’s a serious action with possibly lethal consequences. The FBI will continue to vigorously investigate these incidents.”