College Student Convicted of Serious False Statements Offense

20-year-old B.H. was recently sentenced after pleading guilty to charges concerning a late January incident that occurred at a University of Virginia campus. B.H. was coming down the stairs inside the main entrance of one of the university's residence halls when he said he saw a man wearing a ski mask and carrying a gun asking to be let into the dorm. B.H. didn't let the man in but turned around and ran back up the stairs to his room where he called 911 and reported that there was a gunman outside. The call triggered immediate emergency protocols which included putting the campus on lockdown while a number of campus, local, state and federal authorities arrived at the university and searched for the gunman. No gunman was found and police said they became suspicious of the report when the student began making statements about being happy that he "saved the lives of his fellow students". An investigation into the suspected hoax was begun and included investigators with local and federal agencies. Surveillance video at the residence hall showed that there was a man wearing a ski mask who had asked B.H. to let him into the residence hall but no gun could be seen. B.H. was seen running back up the stairs without letting the man in. Speak with a seasoned criminal defense attorney if you have been suspected of a crime.

B.H. later admitted that he did not see a gun on the man wearing a ski mask and had just wanted to look like a hero. A plea agreement was worked out and the student pled guilty to one count each of making false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Executive Branch of the United States and making false statements under oath. He was subsequently sentenced to five days incarceration (already served), two years supervised release and over $4,000 in restitution for the false 911 call. He also issued an apology to his fellow students, campus faculty and law enforcement for causing alarm and fear.

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