MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A 19-year-old man is charged with a misdemeanor after authorities say he jumped off a bridge in a Twin Cities suburb in the name of charity.
The Hennepin County sheriff’s office said Monday that Joseph Mark Sanislo of Coon Rapids is charged with one count of disorderly conduct.
“First responders routinely put their lives on the line to rescue people from cold water and other hazardous locations,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, “We don’t want first responders to be put into harm’s way needlessly. These situations are entirely preventable.”
Sanislo jumped off the Highway 610 bridge in Brooklyn Park last week while wearing a life jacket. The sheriff’s office says Sanislo told investigators he was taking part in the “cold water challenge,” in which people jump into lakes, rivers and ponds.
Participants have 24 or 48 hours to record themselves jumping into the water and then posting the video online. Otherwise, they need to make a $100 donation to a charity.
A home phone number for Sanislo could not be located.
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