Utah Teen Faces Misdemeanor Charges After Taping Fish to ATMs

Between August and November 2023, a 17-year-old in Provo (also Orem), Utah, carried out a bizarre prank spree: taping fish to ATMs, bathroom stall doors, and even a police car. Authorities believe he did this on at least a dozen occasions. The incidents were documented on an Instagram account calling itself fish_bandit84, where videos of the fish-taping antics were posted.

Some posts included fish with odd accessories like cigarettes in their mouths. The account’s bio read: “Live, laugh, tape fish on ATMs 🐠🏧 No fish were harmed in the process.”

Investigation and Charges

Provo police launched an inquiry after multiple complaints. They served a search warrant in December 2023 to identify the account owner. By early 2024, they had identified the teenager behind the account. He was referred to the 4th District Juvenile Court, facing two misdemeanor counts of property damage linked to the cleanup costs stemming from his prank art.

Even though he’s suspected in many more incidents (around 12-14), only two counts were formally charged. The case was closed in December once the referral was done, though it remains under juvenile court jurisdiction.

Public Reaction & Social Media Footprint

The prankster didn’t try to stay hidden—far from it. With over 50,000 followers (some reports say up to 70,000) on Instagram, his posts generating thousands of likes and wide attention, the act was clearly intended to be seen. One video shows three trout taped to a police car’s door; others show fish on ATMs or bathroom stall doors. The content was often framed in humorous captions and described by some viewers as “anti-heroic.”

People’s responses ranged from laughter and memes to condemnation or disgust. Some commentators criticized wastefulness or disrespect for property; others saw it simply as a joke. Police said the damage was minimal.

Motives & Damage

Motive remains murky. Police have stated they do not know exactly why he did this—whether purely for attention, a social media stunt, or something else. The fish pieces (real, dead fish in most posts) were taped with tape, and the damage to machines/police property was minor, but cleanup and losses still provided grounds for charges.

The teen claimed no fish were harmed (per his account’s bio), though some posts with dead fish suggest otherwise; this discrepancy has been pointed out by critics.

Why It Draws Attention

• It’s unusual: prank crimes involving fish tend to be rare and attract attention because of how absurd they are.
• It highlights how social media amplifies even “small oddities”—pranks become visible, documented, and shared.
• Raises questions about the boundaries of free expression vs property damage. When does a joke cross legal lines?
• Also shows how juvenile justice systems handle quirky or nonviolent mischief: minimal charges but public scrutiny.

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