Creepy Clown Crackdown? Police Charging People with False Reporting as 'Sightings' Spread

There have been multiple reports of sightings of creepy clowns across the Southeast – several of them false, authorities in multiple states are alleging. 

In two recent cases in Georgia and North Carolina, three people have been accused of falsely reporting clown sightings and now face misdemeanor charges, PEOPLE confirms. 

David Wayne Armstrong, 24, was arrested on Sept. 9 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, after police allege he lied about seeing a clown knock on his window before he chased it into the woods, according to an incident report obtained by PEOPLE. Police allege Armstrong later admitted he lied. 

In Troup County, Georgia, on Sept. 14, Brandon Moody, 26, and 27-year-old Rebecca Moody were arrested after allegedly falsely reporting that they saw clowns in the area, the sheriff's office said. Both Moodys were charged with obstruction and unlawful conduct during a 911 call. 



It was not immediately clear if the Moodys had entered pleas to the charges or retained attorneys, though the typical punishment for such misdemeanors is a fine. 

Armstrong tells PEOPLE he has not entered a plea and says, "I really do wish I could take that night back." 

But he says he had a personal health crisis and panic attack that day and was acting irrationally. He says he is due back in court in November. 

"I want the real truth out there," Armstrong says. "I am tired of getting all these evil looks." 

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