A minister who has described himself as a prophet has been charged in a hostage hoax that involved thousands of dollars.

Authorities say Calvin Lee Lewis concocted a story where he claimed to have been kidnapped and those holding him hostage demanded $10,000 for his release.

Lewis, who pastors a Bainbridge (Ga.) church and lists his occupation as prophet, telephoned a Thomasville woman, a friend, asking for help in raising the ransom money.

She, instead, contacted the police. The minister had told her he was being held hostage at gunpoint in a Tallahassee, Fla., hotel.

An investigation by Thomasville Police Department detectives began immediately, with the woman and Lewis in constant contact. The minister told his woman friend that the kidnappers had released him and he had a few hours to get the money or “his life would be in danger.”

With the help of his friend, detectives were able to talk with Lewis on the phone. Upon questioning by detectives, it was determined Lewis had lied about being kidnapped they said.

The suspect was arrested Tuesday and charged with false report of a crime