North Carolina man arrested for coronavirus hoax video in Walmart
03/24/2020 11:46 am PDT
via WIVB:
ALBEMARLE, N.C. (WIVB) -- A 31-year-old North Carolina man is facing felony charges for falsely saying he has coronavirus.
The Albemarle Police Department said they received information on March 18 that a man was hosting a Facebook Live in a Walmart, claiming he had tested positive for coronavirus, WVLT reports.
TRUE CRIME DAILY: Coronavirus-related crime coverage - TCD
In a Facebook Live video that was viewed more than 500,000 times on YouTube, Justin M. Rhodes, is seen walking through the Walmart saying that he “definitely tested positive” for COVID-19 and showing very little regard for those around him, touching items and saying “If I got it, y'all got it.”
Police collaborated with local health officials and discovered Rhodes did not have coronavirus. He was arrested for Felony Perpetrating a Hoax in a Public Building, and Disorderly Conduct.
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