New Orleans resident Precious Stephens has a warrant out for her arrest after authorities discovered she hung up on callers while working as an emergency dispatcher.
Stephens has been fired from her job and is wanted for one count of malfeasance in office and interfering with an emergency communication, reported the Times-Picayune.
Louisiana law states malfeasance is committed when “any public officer or public employee shall: intentionally refuse or fail to perform any duty lawfully required of him, as such officer or employee; or intentionally perform any such duty in an unlawful manner.”
The 25-year-old worked as a 911 dispatcher for the Orleans Parish Communication District. It is unclear if Stephens’ actions resulted in any deaths or injuries.
“(The district) has and will continue to cooperate with the…investigation into this matter and dedicated to providing any and all assistance to aid in (the) efforts,” the organization said in a statement.
The district reported Stephens to the police on August 23 after an investigation of calls she received during her shifts on August 20 and 21.
“Working as a 911 operator with the Orleans Parish Communications District at the time, she is wanted for allegedly disconnecting 911 calls deliberately without obtaining necessary emergency information or relaying such emergencies to the other dispatchers for aid,” the New Orleans Police Department said in a statement.
If Stephens is convicted, she faces a maximum 5 years in prison and up to $5000 in fines. She remains at large.
Anyone with information about Stephens’ whereabouts is encouraged to call NOPD at 504-658-6030 or CrimeStoppers at 504.822.1111.
