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Kidnapping Hoax By Teen

By Associated Press

Published: Fri, August 15, 2008 - 1:54 am Last Updated: Fri, August 15, 2008 - 1:57 am

Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/16920/

ALBERTVILLE, Ala. (AP) - More than 20 law enforcement officers
spent over an hour trying to locate the victim of a kidnapping in
Albertville only to find out it was a hoax by a local teenager.
Albertville public information officer Jamie Smith says
19-year-old James Stewart was charged with making a false report
after admitting his kidnapping was a hoax. Stewart was released
from the city jail on a $500 bond.
Police said he began sending a series of false text messages to
a relative around 1 p.m. Tuesday, stating he had been thrown into a
car trunk by three men. But his story later unraveled.
It wasn't known Thursday if Stewart had a lawyer. A message left
with the police spokesman wasn't immediately returned.