Detroit resident Craig Sanders allegedly called the U.S. Coast Guard on March 11 and told them his boat had capsized in Lake Erie. Responding to the distress call, the Coast Guard launched a 8-hour, 93-mile helicopter search along the shoreline at an estimated cost of $53,000.

Unfortunately, authorities now believe they were duped by the 32-year-old,

that Sanders made several prank calls on a borrowed cell phone that night to cab companies, a poison control center and a crisis hot line.

The U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of Michigan on Monday

with communicating a false distress message. If convicted, he could face up to six-years in prison, a $250,000 fine and liability for the full cost of the Coast Guard operation.

Prosecutors also charged three other people -- 36-year-old Michele Kowalak of Inkster, 26-year-old Terrel Walker of Detroit and 27-year-old Crystal Rials of Inkster -- for making false statements to the Coast Guard Investigative Unit during the course of its investigation.

"Hoax calls cost taxpayers a great deal of money and pull our critical resources

from actual operations and emergencies," said Coast Guard Rear Adm. Michael Parks in a released statement. "These charges send a clear message that hoax calls will not be taken lightly and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."