Police: Man sends over 500 texts on stolen phone

[February 23, 2010]  IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Authorities said an Iowa City man has been charged with sending more than 500 text messages from a stolen cell phone.

Police accuse 21-year-old Christopher Smead of taking a cell phone from a locker room at a fitness center and using it without the owner's consent. Police said Smead sent text messages from early Friday until late into the evening. Police say Smead was charged with fifth-degree theft.

When arrested, Smead also was charged with possession of an air pistol, a misdemeanor, for carrying it during a visit to the main library at the University of Iowa.

Police said Smead failed to appear in court after being charged with carrying the air pistol. When he was arrested for the theft charge, Smead pleaded guilty and is currently serving a 30-day sentence for his offenses.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.