Morgantown man fakes his own kidnapping

MORGANTOWN — Faking his own kidnapping could lead to real jail time for a Morgantown man.
Preston J. Smith, 24, is charged with felony conspiracy. If convicted he faces one to five years in prison and/or a fine of no more than $10,000.
Smith called and sent text messages to his brother and other family members over two hours Sunday, telling them he needed $2,000 because he had been kidnapped and was being held at gunpoint, a criminal complaint stated.
He said he was given until 3:30 p.m. to come up with the money and asked his brother to meet the kidnapper at Sheetz with the money.
Deputies went to the location and found Smith driving a vehicle.
According to the complaint there was no evidence to support Smith’s claim he had been kidnapped or held at gunpoint.
“During an interview at the station, Smith admitted he made a mistake and shook his head in agreement when I said he made the kidnapping up to collect money from his brother,” Deputy J.T. Coe wrote in the complaint.