PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – A man with a big, bold tattoo of Florida in the middle of his forehead repeatedly called 911 to ask for a ride home because he didn’t have money for a taxi, according to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.
Records show 22-year-old Matthew Leatham, of Hudson, called 911 four times between 3:17 a.m. and 4:22 a.m. Sunday to ask for a ride home.
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“I’m trying to find a ride home. I (expletive) up, I’m trying to find a (expletive) ride home,” Leatham said in the first call.
He laughed at times and seemed to not know where exactly he was. He said he’d been drinking a “little bit.”
“I’ve been out here for like an hour. I thought I tried to call it a ride home, or what, like a Lyft or an Uber but I ain’t got none yet,” Leatham said in the call.
He claimed he called the wrong number but then called back for a second time at 3:23 a.m., records show.
“I ain’t able to call a Lyft right now. It’s only letting me call this number so I figured (expletive) I’ll call this number and I’ll pick up a Lyft,” Leatham said.
The operator told him 911 was for emergencies only and ended the call only for Leatham to dial back almost immediately after at 3:25 a.m.
WARNING: Call contains graphic language. Viewer discretion is advised.
“Hi am I able to (expletive) uh call a taxi or some (expletive)? I ain’t able to call a taxi, I’m trying to call a taxi,” Leatham said.
He claimed he hadn’t tried calling an Uber or Lyft and would do that once he got off the phone. Once again, he was told that 911 is for emergencies.
“Bet, bet, bet, bet. So sorry,” he said.
Records show a deputy met with Leatham on U.S. Highway 19 in Port Richey and he, once again, said he needed a ride home. When the deputy offered to call him a taxi, he said he didn’t have money to pay for one, according to the report.
Leatham walked away toward his home and called 911 for a fourth time at 4:22 a.m. while the deputy was still nearby and once again asked for a ride home, the affidavit said.
In that call, he said the deputy wouldn’t give him a ride.
“Whatchamacallit, uh I am trying to get picked up at Scenic Drive, basically. I’ve been trying to get a ride for awhile, been sitting out here for a minute. I’m freezing,” he said in the call.
About six minutes into the final call, a deputy can be heard in the background speaking with Leatham.
“You’re on the phone with 911, is that correct? Get your hand out of your pocket,” the deputy said.
The call ended seconds later.
The deputy saw there was no emergency so Leatham was taken into custody, records show.
Deputies said they found marijuana on Leatham during a search but he claimed he didn’t know what it was.
He’s facing charges of misuse of a 911 system and possession of marijuana under 20 grams.
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