False calls for help lead to multiple charges including prostitution

A Jasper man is in jail after he allegedly falsely reported he was being held against his will and then offered to pay a police officer for a sex act.

Jasper officers were dispatched to an apartment at 2603 Newton St. at 4:04 p.m. in reference to a 911 report from 53-year-old John W. Layman Jr., a resident there, who claimed he was being held against his will.

When officers arrived, they attempted to make contact with the occupants of the home several times. However, no one came to the door, and there were no sounds coming from the completely dark apartment. So officers left the residence.

At 4:46 p.m., Jasper police were sent to the same residence after dispatch received a second call from Layman. This time he reported his girlfriend had locked him in the bathroom and was forcing him to stay there against his will.

Once again, officers arrived and knocked on the door multiple times, but no one would answer. Fearing for Layman’s safety, police attempted forced entry into the home, and when a curtain fell off the window inside the entry door, officers saw Layman and female standing at the door inside the home.

According to authorities, Layman then told them he was just kidding and that everything was okay. Then, the female opened the door so officers could speak with the pair.

Police determined Layman was not and had never been held against his will in the bathroom or anywhere else in the home.

Officers placed Layman under arrest on charges of false informing and unlawful reporting on a 911 system claim. Police said Layman appeared highly intoxicated at the time and he was taken to Memorial Hospital for medical clearance.

After being medically cleared, police allege Layman offered one of the arresting officers $100 to perform oral sex on him.

An additional preliminary count of prostitution was then added to the original preliminary counts.

Authorities booked Layman into the Dubois County Security Center.