Man arrested for allegedly pointing laser at Marine One helicopter carrying President Trump near White House

When the officer shined a flashlight to get a closer look, Winkler aimed a laser at Santiago's face, briefly disorienting him. Winkler allegedly proceeded to point the beam toward the low-flying Marine One, which was departing the White House and carrying the President, according to the criminal complaint.

The move posed a "danger" to both Marine One and everyone aboard the helicopter. It presented a risk of flash blindness and pilot disorientation and put Marine One at greater risk of a collision, the criminal complaint noted.

Investigators seized the red laser pointer from Winkler as evidence, along with a fixed-blade knife measuring about three inches.

Winkler later waived his Miranda rights and claimed he did not know it was illegal to point the laser at Marine One. 

"He said he points the laser at all kinds of things, such as stop signs," as noted in the complaint.

Online court filings do not provide Winkler's age or hometown, nor do they indicate whether he has legal representation, according to the Associated Press.