Man claims he’s being held hostage in '911 call prank’

Could he be one of the stupidest criminals of 2022?

A man was arrested for allegedly calling 911 and lying about being held hostage during a "practical prank" on in March of 2022.

30-year-old Shaun Henry Holt, of Rotonda West, is facing a charge of use of 911 system to make a false alarm report.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, 911 operators received a call from a man identifying himself as John White, claiming he was being held hostage.

911 operators called Holt back, who told them the phone call was a “practical prank” that his friends had called it in.

Deputies tracked the number to Holt, and went to speak with him at his home.

Holt told officers he had “accidentally dialed or misdialed 911” after falling asleep.

The sheriff report states Holt appeared to be drunk while speaking with the deputy.

Holt initially denied calling 911 operators about a hostage situation, but admitted to calling back the dispatch and told deputies he did tell the operators it was a prank.

The deputy checked Holt’s call log on his phone, which showed he called the sheriff’s office and answered a follow-up phone call from the sheriff’s office non-emergency number as well.

Holt was arrested. He was out on bond at the time for an alleged domestic battery.


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content