(02/17/06) NEWARK ? A federal judge sentenced a Parsippany man to two years probation Friday for shining a laser at a plane in 2004.

David Banach was also spared from having to pay a fine for the incident. The defendant could have received up to 20 years in prison and been forced to pay a fine of up to $250,000. Banach, who directed the laser pointer at the plane while it was approaching Teterboro Airport, says he is grateful to the judge for the lenient sentencing.

Banach?s lawyer says the sentence represents exemplary behavior by the court. U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie could not be reached for comment on the matter.

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