Oklahoma Man Charged With Shooting Helicopter

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A 19-year-old Oklahoma City man has been charged with shooting a police helicopter while it was in flight.

Prosecutors say Michael McMichael was charged Wednesday in federal court in Oklahoma City with one count of damage to an aircraft and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. Prosecutors allege the gunshot struck and damaged the helicopter's vertical stabilizer bar while it was in flight in June 2010.

Court records do not indicate if McMichael has retained an attorney. A court spokesman said he's scheduled for an initial appearance on Thursday.

If convicted, McMichael faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma City Police Department.