POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 45-year-old Mulberry man, Matthew Johnson, found himself in handcuffs Thursday morning after a series of non-emergency 911 calls, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say Johnson’s actions began Wednesday evening when he allegedly started sending multiple text messages to the 911 emergency line. This was followed by a direct phone call to 911, none of which reported any actual emergency.
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Out of an abundance of caution, a Polk County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to Johnson’s residence to for a welfare check. Upon arrival, the deputy found Johnson still engaged in a phone call with the 911 dispatch center.
When questioned by the deputy, Johnson confirmed that there was no emergency. When asked why he had repeatedly contacted 911 without cause, Johnson reportedly replied, “Because I’m stupid.”
Deputies discovered that since March 15th, there had been a total of 15 calls originating from Johnson’s residence to the 911 system, none of which were for legitimate emergencies.
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Johnson was arrested on Thursday, May 1st. He was subsequently transported to the Polk County Jail where he faces a charge of Misuse of 911.
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