Man posted threat on Facebook about spreading coronavirus, North Carolina police say
A man used Facebook to threaten to infect others with the coronavirus, North Carolina officials say.
Christopher Floyd, 44, is accused of posting that he had COVID- 19 and would spread it to people, according to the Craven County Sheriff’s Office.
But he didn’t actually have the disease, the sheriff’s office said Monday. Instead, Floyd “posted online as a hoax,” according to officials.
Now, he is facing a disorderly conduct charge and is scheduled to appear in court in May, state records show. Floyd lives in Havelock, a city roughly 95 miles northeast of Wilmington.
He isn’t the first person to be charged in North Carolina after claiming to have the coronavirus, officials say.
Robert Eugene Heffner is accused of saying he had COVID-19 and coughing on customers at a Walmart store in Belmont, west of Charlotte. The man was arrested Friday is facing a public health violation charge, The Charlotte Observer reported.
At a Walmart store in Albemarle, also near Charlotte, a man posted a Facebook Live video in which he said he tested positive for the coronavirus. Justin Rhodes was arrested earlier this month and charged with perpetuating a hoax and disorderly conduct, The Observer reported.
