U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration · 

AUG -6 2012 

Western-Pacific .~e~i<?n ~ 

Office of the RegiHmaMt~uhs}31 

P.O. Box 92007 

1: lj...ijs Angeles, CA 90009-2007 

Telephone: (310) 725-7138 

Facsimile: (310) 725-6816 

VIA FACSIMILE AND CERTIFIED MAIL -RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

Hearing Docket 

Federal Aviation Administration 

800 Independence A venue, SW 

Wilbur Wright Building- Suite 2Wl000 

Washington, DC 20591 

Attention: Hearing Docket Clerk, AGC-430 

Facsimile: (202) 493-5142 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

RECEIVED 

AUG 1 3 2012 

HEARING DOCKET 

fAA /)..D l~ ~A vJR ·· ~r<J-1 ~ogG 

Re: In the Matter of Stephen Gunner Gama, FAA Case No. 2012WP250023 

Enclosed is a copy of a request for hearing dated July 16, 2012, and the original and one 

copy of the Complaint in the above-referenced proceeding. 

I request that the hearing in this matter be held in the Sacramento, California area, and 

expect that the hearing will last one (1) day. 

Please address all communications for the Regional Counsel of the Western-Pacific Region, 

to the undersigned, at: Office of the Regional Counsel, A WP-7 .11, Federal Aviation 

Administration, Western-Pacific Region, P. 0. Box 92007; Los Angeles, CA 90009-2007, 

Telephone: (310) 725-7138, FAX: (310) 725-6816. 

Sincerely, 

NAOMI TSUDA 

Regional Counsel 

By:h(~ . i dsay M. N amura 

Attorney 

Enclosures: Request for Hearing; Complaint; Certificate of Service 

NOTE TO RESPONDENT: SECTION 13.209 OF THE CP RULES OF PRACTICE 

REQUIRE THAT A WRITTEN ANSWER TO THE COMPLAINT BE FILED NOT 

LATER THAN 30 DAYS AFTER SERVICE OF THE COMPLAINT. AS AN 

ALTERNATIVE TO FILING AN ANSWER, A MOTION MAY BE FILED PURSUANT 

TO SECTION 13.208(D) OR SECTION 13.218(F)(l-4) OF THE RULES OF PRACTICE. 
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

OFFICE OF HEARINGS 

WASHINGTON, DC 

RECEIVED 

AUG 1 3 2012 

HEARING DOCKET 

In the Matter of Stephen Gunner Gama: FAA DOCKET UNASSIGNED 

Respondent. 

FAA CASE NO. 2012WP250023 

JUDGE NOT ASSIGNED 

COMPLAINT 

The Complainant files its Complaint, pursuant to Rule 208 of the Rules of Practice 

(14 C.P.R. 13.208), and states as follows: 

I. 

Respondent, Stephen Gunner Gama, was advised through a Final Notice of Proposed 

Civil Penalty, dated July 5, 2012, that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed 

to assess a civil penalty in the amount of$7,700.00. 

On July 16,2012, Respondent submitted a written request for a hearing. 

II. 

1. On or about February 25, 2012, at approximately 0237 hours local time, 

Respondent aimed a beam of light from a laser pointer at an aircraft that was 

flying in the vicinity of Linda/Olivehurst, California. 

2. The aircraft was a California Highway Patrol helicopter. 

3. The beam of light illuminated the cockpit of the helicopter. 

4. The beam of light interfered with a crewrnember' s performance of his duties 

aboard that helicopter. To wit, the pilot diverted the aircraft from assisting 

the Yuba County Sheriffs Department in a search. 
2 

III. 

By reason of the foregoing circumstances, Respondent violated section 91.11 of the 

Federal Aviation Regulations (Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations), which states that no 

person may interfere with a crewmember in the performance of the crewmember's duties 

aboard an· aircraft ·being operated; 

IV. 

1. Pursuant to Title 49 U.S.C. Section 46301(a)(5)(A), Respondent is subject to 

a civil penalty not to exceed $11,000.00 for each of the violations alleged. 

2. Under the facts and circumstances of this case, a civil penalty of$7,700.00 is 

appropriate. 

WHEREFORE, the Complainant, respectfully requests that the Administrative Law 

Judge enter an order that Respondent be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of $7,700.00. 

Respectfully submitted, 

DATED: AUG -6 2012 
' I 

I 

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a:: -;, 

--------------------·· 

RECEIVED 

JAN 1 i 2#1:2 · 
t . 
.

l (Failing to obey all 

laws based on present 

matter) 2 

probation based on 

present plea; sentencing 

scheduled for 07/09/12 

DEFENDANT'S STATEMENT: 3 ., 

4 .~ STEPHEN GUNNER GAMA was interviewed at the Yuba Probation Department on May 31,2012. · 

The following is a summary of his statements: 5 

6 The probation officer questioned GAMA regarding the present offense. GAMA purchased the lasers 

the prior week. He had utilized them in the night sky numerous times. The night of the offense, he was 7 

8 outside tracing the stars in the night sky. He did not hear an airplane in the sky nor did he notice one until it 

9 flew through the laser beam; GAMA maintain~ . .!:oo· e did nothing wrong, the plane flew into his laser beam. 

GAMA continued to trace the star patterns in th~¥ . . ~-e lane turned around and flew through his beam lO 

11 again. · GAMA advised he was a paratrooper in the rih a ~uld not intentionally attempt to shine a 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

beam on an aircraft. 

GAMA expressed a willingness to comply with the conditions of probation. 

GAMA requested a grant of probation and asked to have the felony conviction reduced to a . . 

misdemeanor. 

VICTIM INFORMATION: 

On July 2, 2012, the probation officer contacted Califomia Highway Patrol Air Operations Divisim1 

regarding the present offense advising the officers oftheir rights pursuant to Penal Code Sections 1191.1 and 18 

1191.3. Officers Kevin L. and Andres F. was not available for a statement. Commander Mark Nalley advised 19 

the probation officer his officers suffered no collateral injuries from the encounter with the defendant's laser 20 

light. The aircraft suffered no damage. 21 

22 

SOCIAL HISTORY: 

23 The following information pertaining to Personal/Family, Education, and Military History was 

provided by the defendant and is not verified unless so indicated. 24 

25 Personal/Family: 

26 STEPHEN GUNNER GAMA was born on November 2, 1961, to Emestine (Nee: Castro) and 

27 Marieno Gruna in Colusa) California. MaTieno died in 1967, and Emestine never remarried. GAMA has no 

siblings. 

28 

GAMA, STEPHEN GUNNER 
In 1982, GAMA married Senta Dorfler while serving in the anned forces in Germany. GAMA and 

2 Senta divorced later that same year. GAMA and Senta had no children. 

3 In 1989, GAMA married Sharon Terrell in Reno, Nevada. GAMA and Sharon have four children, ~ 

4 Jessica, age 28, resides in Chico; Steven Jr., age 22, Joel,. age 21 and Brandon, age 17, all reside with their 

5. mother in Marysville. GAMA and Sharon terminated their marriage in 1995. 

6 On July 23,2010, GAMA married Brenda Damron in Marysville. GAMA has been ina relationship 

7 with Brenda for the past nine years. GAMA and Brenda do not have any children from their relationship. 

8 Residence: 

9 STEPHEN GUNNER GAMA resides at 1958 Country Club Comt #A, Marysville. In 2011, GAMA 

I 0 relocated to his present residence after a fire at h~~~e ~ of 45 years at 12574 Scott Grant Road, Loma 

~~~ 11 Rica. ~ JP> 

12 Education: 

13 STEPHEN GUNNER GAMA graduated from Marysville High School in 1979. GAMA continued 

14 his education while in the militruy and earned his Electronic/Communications Certificate. 

15 Employment/Income: 

16 STEPHEN GUNNER GAMA has been disabled since 1983 and receiving Veterans Affairs pension 

. " 

17 due to a parachute accident while in the armed forces in Germany. GAMA receives $2,285.00 monthly. 

18 Military: 

19 ·STEPHEN GUNNER GAMA was inducted in the United States Army in 1979. His final rank was 

20 E3 (Private First Class) when he was injured in a training exercise. GAMA received a medical discharge in 

21 1983. 

22 Medical/Psychological: 

23 STEPHEN GUNNER GAMA reports his health to be poor. Due to injuries received in Germany and 

24 being a victim of an assault in 1999. GAMA receives treatment through the Veterans Affairs and Feather 

25 River Tribal Health, Inc. in Yuba City. GAMA advised he was prescribed many medications for the head 

26 trauma he received in the army and assault. GAMA failed to provide a list of medications. GAMA provided 

27 proof of a valid medicinal marijuana recommendation. 

28 GAMA reports his psychological health is poor. He suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and 

GAMA, STEPHEN GUNNER 
- . . I 
i 

--------------......... 

3 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 

I hereby certify that on this date I have sent by facsimile, one copy, and placed in the 

United States mail, postage prepaid, certified mail -return receipt requested, the executed 

original and one copy of the Complaint, addressed as follows: 

Hearing Docket 

Federal Aviation Administration 

800 Independence A venue, SW 

Wilbur Wright Building - Suite 2WI 000 

Washington, DC 20591 

Attention: Hearing Docket Clerk, AGC-430 

Facsimile: (202) 493-5142 

I further certify that on this date I have placed in the United States mail, postage 

prepaid, certified mail -return receipt requested, and regular First Class Mail, a true copy of 

the Complaint, addressed as follows: 

Dated: 

Stephen Gunner Gama 

1958 Country Club Ct., Apt. A 

Marysville, CA 95901 

AUG -s 2012 

"7~_£~ Jeff~, Legal ~c~ Office of the Regional Counsel 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Western-Pacific Region 

Lawndale, California 

cc: SAC FSDO/ A WP-240