What was believed to be a prank call has turned into a $39,000 fine and pending legal action against a State Road man.
Ocean Adrian Hinson, of Noah Hayes Road, has a Sept. 10 court date to face a misdemeanor count of interfering with emergency communication, dating back to Oct. 17, 2017.
The Federal Communications Commission has issued a $39,278 fine against Hinson, citing intentional misuse of a local public-safety radio communications network in violation of the Communications Act of 1934. The FCC said Hinson impersonated first responders in unauthorized radio communications on Surry County’s licensed public-safety frequency.
In a written order against Hinson, the FCC said the incident started with a residential fire alarm being triggered within the Westfield fire district. A 911 dispatcher put out a call for service to the Westfield Volunteer Fire Department.