Man Admits To Calling 911 Repeatedly Because His 'Damn F***ing Phone Won't Work'
YORKVILLE, Ill. (CBS) -- A Kendall County man has been fined for making a series of wacky phone calls to 911.
As WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports, the calls were placed on Nov. 9 of last year, and recently in court, Michael Alan Skopec, 48, admitted to making five phone calls to 911 with the Kendall County Sheriff's office because he could not figure out his new iPhone.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports
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The Smoking Gun posted audio from the calls back in November.
In the first call, Skopec tells the dispatcher that his iPhone is not working, and says, "This has something to do with Apple. I don't know." The dispatcher advises Skopec to contact his phone service provider and not 911.
"Whenever you do that, you're tying up a phone line," the dispatcher says.
"I know I'm doing that, but it ain't my fault," Skopec replies. "It's f***ing AT&T's fault."
Soon afterward, Skopec calls 911 again and complains, "I can't use my f***ing phone."
"Listen here – I can't get through to my phone unless I dial 911," he continues. "I'm ready to smash my phone into the concrete wall. Is that OK? Is that OK? No, it's not OK. What the hell's wrong with my phone? OK, tell me. On the AT&T iPhone, what the f**k is wrong with it?"
The dispatcher calmly reminds Skopec he is calling 911 and asks if he has an emergency.
"Yes, I do," he says. "My emergency is my f***ing phone don't work."
The dispatcher asks Skopec for his address, and he replies, "One oh blah blah blah blah blah blah. OK, you understand that?"
In the next call, Skopec says, "How 'bout I smash this phone on the floor. Why can't I dial the numbers I used to be able to dial?"
When the dispatcher asks for his address, "I'm not dying, don't worry. Don't send the police or nothing over here."
The dispatcher suggests police might be able to help Skopec. He responds, "The problem is this damn f***ing phone don't work…. Why can't you direct me to the AT&T people?"
"Unfortunately, we are a 911 dispatch center," the dispatcher replies. "The best bet is probably either an AT&T store…"
"Well, how about I just blow this phone up!" Skopec says at the call ends.
In the fourth call, the dispatcher asks for Skopec's address so an officer can come and help.
"That's a really stupid response, because I'm trying – it says call iPhone enabled," Skopec said.
"If you give us your address, maybe we can have an officer come out and help you," the dispatcher says.
Skopec protests that no officer can help him "because they'll shoot me with a gun."
"Have you been drinking tonight, sir?" the dispatcher says.
"No, I'm just not very smart," Skopec replies.
In the last call, the same dispatcher tells Skopec police officer will be coming to his house.
When the officer arrived at his home in the 200 block of Swanson Lane near Bristol, Skopec was arrested and charged with obstructing or resisting a peace officer, after he allegedly refused to comply with the officer's orders, the Smoking Gun reported.
Kendall County Assistant State's Attorney Lisa Accardi said Skopec was sentenced to 12 months probation and two days in jail. Additionally, he had to pay $775 in fines and restitution: $138 to the KenCom emergency call center, $244 to the Kendall County sheriff's office and $15 to the Yorkville Police Department, Accardi said. He will also have to undergo a drug and alcohol screening.
The calls got national recognition when The Smoking Gun website posted audio of the 911 calls and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper put Skopec on his "RidicuList". Audio of the calls is still available on the Internet.
Kendall County Assistant State's Attorney Lisa Accardi said Skopec was sentenced to 12 months probation and two days in jail. Additionally, he had to pay $775 in fines and restitution: $138 to the KenCom emergency call center, $244 to the Kendall County sheriff's office and $15 to the Yorkville Police Department, Accardi said. He will also have to undergo a drug and alcohol screening.
The Aurora Beacon-News contributed to this report, via the Sun-Times Media Wire.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
