Callum Heskett, a 26-year-old seasonal ranger, was arrested for staging a false stabbing in Staunton State Park, Colorado.
Heskett had claimed he was attacked, triggering a large manhunt, school lockdowns, and alerts to 8,600 residents.
Authorities later determined he had stabbed himself and fabricated the story, the Colorado Sun has reported.
He faces multiple charges, including false reporting, tampering with evidence, and obstructing government operations, and will be jailed after his hospital release with bond set at $10,000.
