A 24-year old man sent 72 obscene messages through an instant-messaging service for the deaf because he found it entertaining and hilarious, police say.

Andrew S. Brunell of Hawley, Lackawanna County, was arrested yesterday on charges of unlawful use of a computer, stalking, and harassment.

Fountain Hill police say multiple victims reported receiving lewd phone messages through an internet relay service intended for the deaf and hearing impaired. Brunell would type messages on his computer, and the service would then call the desired phone numbers and read the messages aloud, according to police.

Each victim reported receiving the messages, which contained "lewd, lascivious, and obscene language," between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. over a four-day period starting May 22. Investigators say they were able to track the source of the calls to Brunell, who said he made the calls "because it was hilarious and entertaining to him." He was taken to Lehigh County prison for arraignment on the charges.

-- Reporting by Vince D'Imperio, The Morning Call