HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC and AP) — A Hartford man has been charged with faking a positive COVID-19 test in order to avoid a court date.
Thirty-one-year-old Junior Jumpp man was arrested Tuesday on charges of forgery and fabricating physical evidence, said prosecutors.
Prosecutors said the man, who has 11 criminal cases pending in the Superior Court system, was due before a judge Nov. 30 for a bond review hearing after being arrested while out on bail on charges of threatening and breach of peace.
On Nov. 29, Jumpp's lawyer told a judge and prosecutors that his client had sent him a screenshot purporting to be a notification of a positive COVID-19 test. That prompted the judge to excuse the suspect from his court date.
A subsequent investigation by the Office of the Chief State's Attorney showed the notification was fabricated, prosecutors said.
Jumpp is now being held in lieu of $25,000 bond and is due back in court on Feb. 3.
The forgery and fabrication charges are both Class D felonies, which carry penalties of between one and five years in prison.