Press play below to hear Geno’s talk with Austin:



A polite, happy and perhaps slightly medicated Port Richey guy got Twitter going nuts when Pasco Sheriffs showed up to investigate a trespassing call on the A&E hit TV show “Live PD” this weekend.

Austin and his girlfriend were having fun on Saturday night when the knocks on the door by police turned the night sour. Police were told someone was in an apartment that wasn’t supposed to be. When the bright lights from the Live PD cameras on A&E were put on him, Austin told them he’d just moved in. When the smell of the green stuff became apparent to officers, Austin was up front about the fact the party had begun.

Oh here’s a big surprise

“Be respectful, Ash!”

“It’s going to look like drugs but it’s actually salt for my McFries”#LivePD @LiveTVFans pic.twitter.com/g5z7bz7whl — ScramMan (@scrampestman) December 17, 2017

When officers asked the usual question about having anything on him they need to know about, Austin confessed to having a substance in his wallet. He said it was salt. 99 times out of 100, that’s a lie. But when he began to extol the virtues of pink Himalayan salt on McDonalds french fries, Twitter blew up. Me being an Amazon Prime member, I opened the app and placed an order out of curiosity. When a backup cop inspected the bag, he said that sure enough, it’s salt. And that he uses the stuff himself. The Himilayan Salt guy was born on social media and had the internet buzzing, so to speak, all night.

For those who haven’t seen Live PD, it’s basically the old 80s TV show COPS, except most of what you see is live. Sometimes things get ugly. Sometimes there’s violence. But when Pasco County Sheriffs met Austin, they got to deal with a happy go lucky kid who is trying to fix his life.

Because he was so cooperative with authorities, Austin wasn’t taken to jail. He was given a citation and his party was cut short when some paraphernalia was taken away.

All seemed over and done with until I got an email from him today. Because of what happened, Austin lost his job. And he was kicked out of the room he’d already paid rent for. The story just bummed me out because you can tell the guy is trying to do the right thing and better his life. I put the word out on my Facebook page because so many on Twitter were curious about his story… but hearing all the fallout that came from being featured on Live PD was disappointing and if we can help out, lets do it!

If you know someone hiring in the Port Richey area, drop me a line at geno@wqyk.com and I’ll forward it to Austin. He has experience in construction and building maintenance. But with the holidays here, I’m sure he’s not going to be overly picky looking for his dream job. The guy just wants to get back on his feet.

I loved this kid. So honest & good natured. Hope someone in the area gives him a job!!Thank you Geno for helping him out!

???? #LivePD #LivePDNation #BackTheBlue https://t.co/3DoqZhl4hL — Cathy Kibler (@kibby11) December 20, 2017

Color me embarrassed, I had not heard of Himalayan sea salt until last weekend on #LivePD ???? — tmazgal (@tmazgal) December 19, 2017

After watching last nights #livepd I'm considering carrying around a little pink Himalayan sea salt in my wallet... you know, to season up my takeout. ???? — Gina (@GinaD_316) December 17, 2017

This is really a bummer! My buddy and I were watching and really liked this kid, hell he reminds me of several buddies from college. I would give him a job working for me if he lived in Indiana! Keep us updated if he finds work! — Nate Nahler (@Nate_Nahler) December 20, 2017

Aww he was my absolute favourite #LivePD @PascoSheriff. Sorry he lost his job over it. I sure do hope someone gives him employment. #Livepdpasco — Susan (@Susan_C_MacLeod) December 20, 2017

Did anyone see the guy in Florida on #LivePD last night who carries Himalayan Salt around with him? Well, I bought some for Ted for Christmas bc we laughed so hard about it ???? pic.twitter.com/99mVODT78l — Carmen Chambers (@CarmenChambaaas) December 18, 2017

Hey it’s Geno. Here are my most recent posts. I’m big Lightning fan and Tampa Bay’s junk foodie. I grew up in Westbrook, Maine but Florida will always be home. Hook up with me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And catch Nights with Geno weeknights at 7 on 99.5 QYK!