Facebook hoax nets arrest in Granite Shoals

BY GLYNIS CRAWFORD SMITH

THE HIGHLANDER

A Granite Shoals woman was arrested March 24, for drug possession.

If a defense can be made, it would be that she was a victim of social media and her plight launched her into national notice.

The Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD) crafted a bogus “Breaking News” alert it had enjoyed on other law enforcement websites for its own Facebook page:

“Meth and Heroin recently brought in to Central Texas as well as the ingredients used to make it could be contaminated with the life threatening disease Ebola,” it read. “If you have recently purchased meth or heroin in Central Texas, please take it to the local police or sheriff department so it can be screened with a special device. DO NOT use it until it has been properly checked for possible Ebola contamination!”

Unfortunately for the local resident, she already was too seriously impaired to share in the humor and brought in her own stash for a scan.

Chasity Eugina Hopson, 29, remained in Burnet County Jail as of Monday, March 28, arraigned for possession of a controlled substance with a bond set at $5,000.

Her arrest went far and wide on Facebook and was even reported by the Huffington Post.

“It is never our intent to make light of people's unfortunate circumstances,” said Sgt. Chris Decker, public information officer for the GSPD. “The post really was just made to show some humor and some personal flair for out department.”

“It is a rough time for law enforcement around the country,” Decker said. “We are lucky in Burnet County to have people that love us and appreciate us. We seldom eat out that someone doesn't stop at our table and thank us.”

“We want that relationship with people,” he continued. “Our department is pretty laid back and we have been trying reaching out through Facebook.”

The Ebola post did that beyond any other.

“We had 70,000 views from all over the country by the next day,” said Decker. “Ninety-nine percent of them thought it was funny, but some took exception (to posting obviously false information).”

Decker and Capt. Gary Boshears both expressed surprise when a well-meaning, if misguided, citizen turned over drugs for Ebola analysis.

The Granite Shoals Police Officers Association and Chief of Police J.P. Wilson interface with the community through sharing sponsorship for Granite Shoals Christmas Outreach, the Paws for the Cause low-cost pet vaccination clinics and other community events. The GSPOA holds the annual Granite Shoals Easter Egg Hunt that on Saturday, March 26, entertained a record number of Highland Lakes Children with an event at the city's Veterans Park.

The GSPD posted a Facebook statement that it wants to “show all parts of the enforcement world and “that includes our sense of humor (and) allow you to see who we are, humans, just like you. We have families, friends, lives, laugh, cry, and bleed all the same.”

Ebola is, of course, a deadly disease, but spread only through direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of an infected person. Six people were treated for the disease in the US in 2014 and one Liberian died of his infection while visiting Dallas. No cases have emerged here since 2014.