REINBECK – A Northern Iowa man accused of pointing a laser at Iowa National Guard helicopters was later convicted in a criminal case that began with complaints from helicopter pilots and ended with a search of a rural Grundy County home, where authorities said they found illegal drugs and firearms.
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation began after complaints from the Iowa National Guard. On two separate occasions, Iowa National Guard helicopter pilots reported that John Paul Weber, 61, pointed a laser at their aircraft while they were training in the area. Authorities also said local hunters reported being struck by a laser while hunting near Weber’s residence.
On April 8, 2025, the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 32680 200th Street near Reinbeck. Weber was arrested, along with Christina Westberg, 51.
Authorities said Weber was initially charged with two counts of assault with intent to inflict serious injury, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, two additional counts of possession of a controlled substance, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of prescription drugs and possession or control of a firearm by a domestic assault offender.
Westberg was initially charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a prescription drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession or control of a firearm by a domestic assault offender.
Court records show Weber’s case was later resolved by negotiated guilty pleas in Grundy County District Court.
Weber originally faced a Class B felony controlled substance violation, but court records show he pleaded guilty on December 8, 2025, to an amended charge of possession of a controlled substance, second offense, an aggravated misdemeanor. He also pleaded guilty to dominion or control of a firearm or offensive weapon by a domestic abuse offender, a Class D felony.
In addition, Weber pleaded guilty to two amended simple misdemeanor assault charges and possession of marijuana, second offense, a serious misdemeanor. Several other counts, including failure to affix a drug tax stamp, possession of a controlled substance first offense and unlawful possession of a prescription drug, were dismissed by the court.
Judge David F. Staudt sentenced Weber to a five-year prison term on the firearm conviction, but the sentence was suspended. Weber also received a two-year suspended prison sentence on the controlled substance conviction and a two-year suspended prison sentence on the marijuana conviction. Court records show he was placed on probation for two years.
For the assault convictions, Weber was sentenced to seven days in jail on each count, with the terms ordered consecutive. Court records later show time served was entered in February 2026.
The case underscores how a report involving aircraft safety led to a broader criminal investigation. Authorities said the search warrant was issued after the helicopter laser complaints and reports from local hunters, and the search resulted in drug and firearm-related charges against both Weber and Westberg.
