Man who jumped into Mississippi River charged

Published 10:31 am Tuesday, May 13, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS — A 19-year-old man is charged with a misdemeanor after authorities said he jumped off a bridge in a Twin Cities suburb in the name of charity.

The Hennepin County sheriff’s office said Monday that Joseph Mark Sanislo of Coon Rapids is charged with one count of disorderly conduct.

Sanislo jumped off the Highway 610 bridge in Brooklyn Park last week while wearing a life jacket. The sheriff’s office said Sanislo told investigators he was taking part in the “cold water challenge,” in which people jump into lakes, rivers and ponds.

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Participants have 24 or 48 hours to record themselves jumping into the water and then posting the video online. Otherwise, they need to make a $100 donation to a charity.

A home phone number for Sanislo could not be located.