By Brandi Makuski

A 21-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man is expected to plead out after being being arrested for a hoax 911 call.

Zachary Linzmeier called 911 on Oct. 25, 2015 to report a boat had struck the north side of the Verso Corp. dam, sending three people overboard shortly after 4 AM.

Local emergency crews responded in force, with multiple sheriff and police units, as well as fire/EMS ambulances and water rescue craft. Emergency dispatchers had also placed medical helicopters on standby.

According to Assistance Chief Tom Zenner from Stevens Point Police Dept., first responders were in the water and had already braced themselves for body recovery when it was discovered the call was a hoax.

Along with the hoax, police later determined Linzmeier had illegally entered a building on Verso property and broken several windows.

Linzmeier was charged with criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, resisting or obstructing an officer and illegal entry to a building.

He faces more than $3,000 in restitution to pay for the time and resources of emergency crews. SPPD Fire Chief Bob Finn said his dept. alone spent $2,650 in labor and equipment.

His plea hearing is scheduled for Wed., March 9 at 8:30 AM in Portage Co. Circuit Court.