Proposing rock climber arrested on drug charges after Morro Rock rescue

Talk about rock star antics.

The man who was rescued from Morro Rock on Thursday after proposing to his girlfriend via the FaceTime mobile app was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs after several reports that he was behaving erratically on the beach later the same day.

Morro Bay State Park ranger Dale Kinney said Michael John Paul Banks, 27, of Fresno, climbed the southern side of the Rock after sunrise to propose to his girlfriend using Facetime. Banks then attempted to climb down the precarious eastern side of the Rock and became stuck.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter was dispatched as well as the Morro Bay fire and police departments, State Parks and Harbor Patrol. Banks was safely returned to land after 9:30 a.m., with only a few scrapes and a misdemeanor citation for trespassing.

The city of Morro Bay said in a news release Friday that Banks will be billed for costs related to the rescue, including use of the helicopter.

But the saga continues after that: According to the news release, Banks stayed in the area of the Rock after his morning helicopter rescue. In the afternoon, the Morro Bay Harbor Department notified police that someone had complained about Banks acting as though under the influence.

Police arrested Banks and transported him to County Jail, where he was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor being under the influence and in possession of a controlled substance. Morro Bay Deputy City Manager Sam Taylor said police had found methamphetamine on Banks. Banks was no longer in jail as of noon Friday, according to online jail information.

The news release also revealed some uncertainty over whether Banks’ marriage proposal was accepted.

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 1:53 PM with the headline "Proposing rock climber arrested on drug charges after Morro Rock rescue."