Investigators charge man who said he fell down 25-foot hole

MADISON, NC (AP) — Investigators in Rockingham County say a man who said he fell down a 25-foot hole while walking through the woods before a winter storm made up the story.

The sheriff’s office said 44-year-old Roy Lee Reid Jr. is charged with felonious obstruction of justice.

According to a statement, a family member received a text from Reid and called 911 after he said he 25 feet down a hole while walking on Jan. 21. With the storm coming in, search and rescue workers suspended their effort out of safety concerns.

Investigators said Reid called a friend and said he climbed out of the hole, but he couldn’t locate the hole for searchers.

Reid, who was arrested on Thursday, is jailed under $10,000 bond. It’s not known if he has an attorney.

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