Westminster Man Charged with Unlawful Use of 911

Late Monday night, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office received a report that multiple 911 calls had come into the dispatch center with an open line and no one speaking.

Deputies arrested David Anthony Burch age 42 of Westminster and charged him with use of 911 unlawfully. Reports state that Burch called 911 and told dispatchers that he was driving down SC 183 Westminster Hwy and was being followed by several cars. Deputies caught up with Burch and told him no one was following him, but they still escorted him home to make sure he got there safely.

After the deputy left Burch at home, a Westminster Officer called to report that Burch came back out to the City of Westminster and was escorted back home again, this time by Westminster Police. The Sheriff’s reports stated that Burch then made more 911 calls from his residence, all unfounded.

Burch was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center to await bond proceedings.

Law Enforcement Officials want to remind the community that 911 is for emergency use only.