Texas Resident Charged For Falsely Claiming Infection

From Tyler County’s District Attorney’s Office:

Over the weekend, an individual in Tyler County falsely reported on social media that the individual tested positive for COVID-19 at Tyler County Hospital.

The case was promptly investigated by the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office and delivered to the District Attorney’s Office. The DA’s Office has charged the individual with Class A Misdemeanor, False Alarm/False Report.

Knowingly communicating, initiating, or circulating a false report/false alarm of COVID-19 that one *knows is false or baseless*, and that would ordinarily cause action by an official or interrupt the occupation of any place of assembly, can be a criminal offense in the State of Texas.