MECOSTA COUNTY, Mich. — A Montcalm County man has been charged after allegedly lying to police about being tied to a tree.
The Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office says Jonathan Cross, 31, of Pierson reported being “accosted and tied to a tree” at the Haymarsh campground March 21. Officials say they have surveillance footage that shows him buying the rope he said was used in the attack.
According to a release, Cross claimed to have been tied to the tree for roughly 36 hours. A medical exam “revealed no signs of injury or exposure” consistent with that claim, officials said in a release.
Cross is charged with one count of falsely reporting a felony.
