Sheriff warns of consequences to come for clown pranks

JACKSON, Tenn. — Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are warning against a scary prank sweeping the nation after several sightings of clowns have been reported on the East Coast as well as several here in West Tennessee.

“What we would do is encourage people who want to dress up like a clown — think about it before you do it,” Madison County Sheriff John Mehr said.

Sheriff Mehr said they have received reports of clowns here in Madison County, but they turned out to be false.

“We had one the other day at Three Way and there was a guy who was there and he was actually there in the group,” Mehr said. “People didn’t know he was actually a part of the group, but he was.”

This Halloween season, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department said this is no joking matter.

“If someone reports one and we have to go out and spend a lot of time and start looking and find out it is a false report and we’re able to make a case, then they will be charged with it,” Mehr said.

He said this is spoiling Halloween for kids.

“Don’t spoil it for kids going out there just to try and get attention,” Mehr said.

Especially for kids like Colby Russell. “I just don’t like people doing this because there’s kids around and it’s just really bad for this, and there are schools everywhere. It’s just horrible. It really is,” Russell said.

He says this year, his Halloween plans will be uneventful. “I’m going to stay at home and do whatever,” Russell said.