Oregon Man Faces Lengthy Prison Sentence After Targeting Customs and Border Protection Helicopter
An Oregon man, Brian K.Kapileo Nepaial (38, of Aloha), pleaded guilty after aiming a high-powered laser at a Customs and Border Protection helicopter. In October, the helicopter was hit by a green laser light that forced the crew to abort a planned landing, though they later saw a person near a residence before the person disappeared.
Along with the laser-related crime, Nepaial also pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Federal investigators later searched his home using a warrant, finding his laser and more than 100 grams of meth. He was indicted in December,and sentencing is scheduled for July 28.
Under federal law, aiming a laser at an aircraft can carry up to five years in prison plus fines and supervised release, while the drug offense carries potential for decades in prison and considerable penalties. The case is tied to broader warnings from aviation authorities that lasers can incapacitate pilots and endanger passengers.
An Oregon man has admitted he pointed a high-powered laser at a Customs and Border Protection helicopter in October
Brian K. Kapileo Nepaial, 38, of Aloha, Oregon, pleaded guilty to aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft and also possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to a Department of Justice news release.
On Oct. 3, the flight crew of a CBP helicopter was struck by a green laser.
Because of the light, it aborted a planned landing.
However, the crew was able to see someone who was walking near a residence prior to disappearing.
A Portland-area meth trafficker named Brian Kapileo Nepaial has admitted to using a powerful laser to try to down a DHS helicopter over the ICE facility. The attack occurred as Antifa urged leftists to do “light shows” on aircraft as part of anti-ICE direct actions. Democrats…
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) May 1, 2026
On Oct. 10, the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at the home.
FBI agents found a laser belonging to Kapileo Nepaial and more than 100 grams of methamphetamine.
Kapileo Nepaial was indicted on Dec. 16.
“A laser can incapacitate pilots, putting thousands of passengers at risk every year,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which called the devices “a serious threat.”
The count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
The drug charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years in prison. Kapileo Nepaial could also face a $5 million fine and five years of supervised release.
🚨 BOOM! The Trump administration just secured a GUILTY plea from an Oregon leftist who pointed a laser at a CBP helicopter in Hillsboro, Oregon
Brian K. Kapileo Nepaia forced it to ABORT its landing late in 2025
He also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute… pic.twitter.com/GLxRIOhgRj
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 1, 2026
Sentencing is scheduled for July 28.
An FBI affidavit said the suspect was on probation at the time of the laser incident after being charged with dealing heroin and methamphetamine.
As noted by the Post Millennial, the incident came at a time when antifa was urging residents of the Portland, Oregon, area to shine lasers at government helicopters.
On Sept. 29, 2025, a federal helicopter was targeted, leading to an FBI raid that netted several illegal immigrants who were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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