Ga. prisoner accused of lying about possible Ebola

ATLANTA (AP) — Prosecutors have accused a prisoner in Georgia of lying about potentially getting Ebola while traveling in Africa, a claim that triggered an emergency response at an Atlanta area jail and hospital.

Harry Randall Withers was indicted Thursday on three counts of making false statements. He was being held without bond Friday at a jail north of Atlanta.

After his arrest for drunken driving, Withers allegedly told officials that he left the United States on Sept. 10 to see a friend in Kenya. Officials said Withers claimed that he had traveled through Nigeria, Liberia and Belgium during his trip.

Authorities said a check of Withers’ passport showed he had not left the United States since 2005.

It was not clear Friday whether Withers has a defense attorney.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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