A Stigler woman has been charged in Pittsburg County District Court with false reporting of a crime.
Katheryn Marie Louise Clark, 21, is accused of falsely reporting “that she had been raped by her soon to be brother-in-law,” court documents indicate.
On Dec. 16, Pittsburg County Deputy Jack Suter was dispatched to Longtown and took a report from Clark that she had been raped, according to a police affidavit. Clark accused the man of dragging her by the hair and forcibly having sex with her while she was screaming and biting him, according to the affidavit.
A medical rape kit was performed on Clark, according to the affidavit, and the nurse performing the rape kit told authorities that “there was not any evidence of sexual assault.”
Clark was arrested Dec. 17 and on Dec. 19, she was charged with false reporting of a crime. If convicted, Clark faces up to 90 days in jail. She is due back in court Feb. 7 at 9 a.m. to face this charge.
Link:
http://mcalesternews.com/local/x1750825474/Stigler-woman-accused-of-falsifying-a-rape-report
Showing posts with label False rape. Show all posts
Showing posts with label False rape. Show all posts
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Oakham woman to serve probation after false rape claim
A 44-year-old Sunday school teacher from Oakham pleaded guilty yesterday to lying to police, telling them she’d been raped, and she was sentenced to 2 years’ probation.
Christine Drolet went to Spencer Police Detective Michael Shea earlier this year and reported that William Domey, a paramedic who worked with her husband, had raped her.
She went to a hospital for treatment, called police several times to check on the status of the case and never recanted until Detective Shea questioned her version of what had happened, prosecutor Courtney Sans told the judge in Western Worcester District Court yesterday.
Mrs. Drolet, who was estranged from her husband and had been living with Mr. Domey in Spencer, used social networking websites to “have a made-up conversation with herself,” that appeared to involve him, Ms. Sans said.
In one email, she told Mr. Domey she was pregnant and sent an ultrasound image of a fetus that Detective Shea determined was a stock photograph she’d gleaned from the Internet.
In an interview after court, Mr. Domey said Mrs. Drolet told the state Office of Emergency Medical Services that he had raped her and the state looked into revoking his paramedic license. He also said Mrs. Drolet had contacted his ex-wife, who had their custody agreement changed so he could no longer see their children.
Ms. Sans said in court that Mrs. Drolet had “decimated his life” and the false charge was “following him to the point where his livelihood was affected.”
“It’s very hard to unring a bell,” she said.
Mrs. Drolet, Ms. Sans said, formulated the story so her husband would “feel bad for her” and would reconcile, which he did.
Mrs. Drolet’s lawyer, Christopher G. Monroy, said with the exception of this incident, Mrs. Drolet is a model citizen, herself an EMT.
He submitted letters of support from her pastor and friends who said she is a Sunday school teacher at Oakham Congregational Church, a singer in the choir and was a member of the town’s cultural council.
“This is conduct that goes without explanation,” Mr. Monroy said.
Judge Timothy M. Bibaud sentenced Mrs. Drolet to one year concurrent sentences at Framingham state prison on the charges of filing a false crime report, criminal harassment and witness intimidation. She was sentenced to two years on a second witness intimidation charge. All of the sentences were suspended for two years, during which time she will remain on probation.
Mr. Domey said after court that while Mrs. Drolet’s sentence will end in two years, he anticipates having problems for much longer as a result of her actions.
He said he is able to see his children again, but has been turned down for jobs because the emergency medical services community is small, and word of the rape allegation, though false, is still spreading.
As a paramedic for eight years with a total of 20 years in the field, he said, he’s hoping that, with Mrs. Drolet having been sentenced, he’ll be able to find work closer to home. He lives in Western Massachusetts and travels to Boston.
Link:
http://www.telegram.com/article/20111221/NEWS/112219884/1003/NEWS03
Christine Drolet went to Spencer Police Detective Michael Shea earlier this year and reported that William Domey, a paramedic who worked with her husband, had raped her.
She went to a hospital for treatment, called police several times to check on the status of the case and never recanted until Detective Shea questioned her version of what had happened, prosecutor Courtney Sans told the judge in Western Worcester District Court yesterday.
Mrs. Drolet, who was estranged from her husband and had been living with Mr. Domey in Spencer, used social networking websites to “have a made-up conversation with herself,” that appeared to involve him, Ms. Sans said.
In one email, she told Mr. Domey she was pregnant and sent an ultrasound image of a fetus that Detective Shea determined was a stock photograph she’d gleaned from the Internet.
In an interview after court, Mr. Domey said Mrs. Drolet told the state Office of Emergency Medical Services that he had raped her and the state looked into revoking his paramedic license. He also said Mrs. Drolet had contacted his ex-wife, who had their custody agreement changed so he could no longer see their children.
Ms. Sans said in court that Mrs. Drolet had “decimated his life” and the false charge was “following him to the point where his livelihood was affected.”
“It’s very hard to unring a bell,” she said.
Mrs. Drolet, Ms. Sans said, formulated the story so her husband would “feel bad for her” and would reconcile, which he did.
Mrs. Drolet’s lawyer, Christopher G. Monroy, said with the exception of this incident, Mrs. Drolet is a model citizen, herself an EMT.
He submitted letters of support from her pastor and friends who said she is a Sunday school teacher at Oakham Congregational Church, a singer in the choir and was a member of the town’s cultural council.
“This is conduct that goes without explanation,” Mr. Monroy said.
Judge Timothy M. Bibaud sentenced Mrs. Drolet to one year concurrent sentences at Framingham state prison on the charges of filing a false crime report, criminal harassment and witness intimidation. She was sentenced to two years on a second witness intimidation charge. All of the sentences were suspended for two years, during which time she will remain on probation.
Mr. Domey said after court that while Mrs. Drolet’s sentence will end in two years, he anticipates having problems for much longer as a result of her actions.
He said he is able to see his children again, but has been turned down for jobs because the emergency medical services community is small, and word of the rape allegation, though false, is still spreading.
As a paramedic for eight years with a total of 20 years in the field, he said, he’s hoping that, with Mrs. Drolet having been sentenced, he’ll be able to find work closer to home. He lives in Western Massachusetts and travels to Boston.
Link:
http://www.telegram.com/article/20111221/NEWS/112219884/1003/NEWS03
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Officers: Woman filed false rape report against husband’s friend
A Fort Myers woman is accused of filing a false rape report against her lover at the request of her husband.
Jody Mary Ryan, 18, was arrested by Fort Myers police Saturday at her home. She is facing charges of making a false report.
Officers say Ryan and her husband, Mahmoud Koush, 27, filed the report on Saturday.
Koush told officers he received a call from his wife saying a friend of his had touched her inappropriately, according to an arrest report.
Later that day officers responded to the couple’s home to assist EMS. Ryan was taken to Gulf Coast Hospital where reports said she told officers the friend raped her at a motel on Cleveland Avenue, but she was afraid to tell the whole story earlier because she did not want her husband to find out.
Officers spoke with the hotel clerk who told them Ryan did not seem to be in distress when she rented the room.
Hospital employees said Ryan made no statements about being raped. She was only concerned about being pregnant, reports said.
Officers then spoke with the man Ryan accused of rape. According to reports, he and Ryan had been having a consensual affair for about two weeks and he had given her a ring. After going to the hotel, Ryan came to his work and threw the ring at him because Koush found out about the affair, reports said.
Detectives viewed video footage which showed Ryan throwing the ring.
Ryan eventually confessed that her husband found out about the affair and told her to lie about being raped so he could get back at his friend.
Link: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/dec/12/officers-woman-filed-false-rape-report-against-hus/
Jody Mary Ryan, 18, was arrested by Fort Myers police Saturday at her home. She is facing charges of making a false report.
Officers say Ryan and her husband, Mahmoud Koush, 27, filed the report on Saturday.
Koush told officers he received a call from his wife saying a friend of his had touched her inappropriately, according to an arrest report.
Later that day officers responded to the couple’s home to assist EMS. Ryan was taken to Gulf Coast Hospital where reports said she told officers the friend raped her at a motel on Cleveland Avenue, but she was afraid to tell the whole story earlier because she did not want her husband to find out.
Officers spoke with the hotel clerk who told them Ryan did not seem to be in distress when she rented the room.
Hospital employees said Ryan made no statements about being raped. She was only concerned about being pregnant, reports said.
Officers then spoke with the man Ryan accused of rape. According to reports, he and Ryan had been having a consensual affair for about two weeks and he had given her a ring. After going to the hotel, Ryan came to his work and threw the ring at him because Koush found out about the affair, reports said.
Detectives viewed video footage which showed Ryan throwing the ring.
Ryan eventually confessed that her husband found out about the affair and told her to lie about being raped so he could get back at his friend.
Link: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/dec/12/officers-woman-filed-false-rape-report-against-hus/
Officers: Woman filed false rape report against husband’s friend
A Fort Myers woman is accused of filing a false rape report against her lover at the request of her husband.
Jody Mary Ryan, 18, was arrested by Fort Myers police Saturday at her home. She is facing charges of making a false report.
Officers say Ryan and her husband, Mahmoud Koush, 27, filed the report on Saturday.
Koush told officers he received a call from his wife saying a friend of his had touched her inappropriately, according to an arrest report.
Later that day officers responded to the couple’s home to assist EMS. Ryan was taken to Gulf Coast Hospital where reports said she told officers the friend raped her at a motel on Cleveland Avenue, but she was afraid to tell the whole story earlier because she did not want her husband to find out.
Officers spoke with the hotel clerk who told them Ryan did not seem to be in distress when she rented the room.
Hospital employees said Ryan made no statements about being raped. She was only concerned about being pregnant, reports said.
Officers then spoke with the man Ryan accused of rape. According to reports, he and Ryan had been having a consensual affair for about two weeks and he had given her a ring. After going to the hotel, Ryan came to his work and threw the ring at him because Koush found out about the affair, reports said.
Detectives viewed video footage which showed Ryan throwing the ring.
Ryan eventually confessed that her husband found out about the affair and told her to lie about being raped so he could get back at his friend.
Link: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/dec/12/officers-woman-filed-false-rape-report-against-hus/
Jody Mary Ryan, 18, was arrested by Fort Myers police Saturday at her home. She is facing charges of making a false report.
Officers say Ryan and her husband, Mahmoud Koush, 27, filed the report on Saturday.
Koush told officers he received a call from his wife saying a friend of his had touched her inappropriately, according to an arrest report.
Later that day officers responded to the couple’s home to assist EMS. Ryan was taken to Gulf Coast Hospital where reports said she told officers the friend raped her at a motel on Cleveland Avenue, but she was afraid to tell the whole story earlier because she did not want her husband to find out.
Officers spoke with the hotel clerk who told them Ryan did not seem to be in distress when she rented the room.
Hospital employees said Ryan made no statements about being raped. She was only concerned about being pregnant, reports said.
Officers then spoke with the man Ryan accused of rape. According to reports, he and Ryan had been having a consensual affair for about two weeks and he had given her a ring. After going to the hotel, Ryan came to his work and threw the ring at him because Koush found out about the affair, reports said.
Detectives viewed video footage which showed Ryan throwing the ring.
Ryan eventually confessed that her husband found out about the affair and told her to lie about being raped so he could get back at his friend.
Link: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/dec/12/officers-woman-filed-false-rape-report-against-hus/
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
'Victims' urged to consider consequences of false rape claims
The thing that pisses me off the most about the following, is that there is not a shred of concern shown over the falsely accused. And that is just despicable.
A small number of sex attacks recently reported to police have proven to be false claims.
Now officers are urging those who may consider making up an allegation, for whatever reason, to think about the consequences of their actions.
Supt Helen Chamberlain, Head of Nottinghamshire Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “We fully investigate all reports of rape and sexual assault but lately we have experienced some cases where our enquiries have shown the ‘victim’ has either invented a story or regretted their sexual activity and claimed to have been attacked.
“There may be a host of reasons why someone would make this type of thing up; they could be in a difficult place in their personal lives, it could be cry for help for other emotional or psychological problems or they could need an excuse to explain their actions. We are sensitive to this, however false reports can have a detrimental effect on genuine victims.
“When an initial report comes in, resources are allocated to secure the scene of the crime, forensic searches and examinations are conducted and house-to-house enquiries are carried out. Extra patrols are allocated to reassure communities.
“Specially trained officers are utilised to investigate reports of rape and sexual assault and this often requires hours of time spent with the victim, speaking to potential witnesses, and viewing CCTV. We also link in with other services such as Victim Support, to ensure victims are offered the appropriate measures to help them cope.”
Earlier this year, 19-year-old Aisha Mather, of Stevenage, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice, admitting she lied about being raped. Following her claim, a man was even arrested but was released without charge after it was proven she had made it up.
On average, a rape investigation costs around £80,000, this can increase up to £250,000, if it goes to court. However, the financial element is not the biggest expense of a false report.
Supt Chamberlain continued: “The impact that a false report can have on those who have genuinely gone through the experience is significant. It not only takes valuable resources away from helping the real victims of crime, but it can also undermine the trauma they have really had to endure.
“Genuine rape victims first have to come to terms with what has happened, and we find they often question whether people will believe them. It can be an extremely traumatic and distressing time.
“A number of significant jail sentences have handed down to offenders convicted of rape and sexual assault. Their victims have shown significant courage in not only coming forward, but in some cases having to face the person who violated them in court.
“I would urge those thinking of making a false allegation of rape or sexual assault to think twice; you could not only end up with a criminal record but you should spare a thought for those true victims who have actually been through such a distressing ordeal.”
Link: http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/newsandevents/news/2011/december/08/victims_urged_to_consider_consequences_of_false_rape_claims/
A small number of sex attacks recently reported to police have proven to be false claims.
Now officers are urging those who may consider making up an allegation, for whatever reason, to think about the consequences of their actions.
Supt Helen Chamberlain, Head of Nottinghamshire Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “We fully investigate all reports of rape and sexual assault but lately we have experienced some cases where our enquiries have shown the ‘victim’ has either invented a story or regretted their sexual activity and claimed to have been attacked.
“There may be a host of reasons why someone would make this type of thing up; they could be in a difficult place in their personal lives, it could be cry for help for other emotional or psychological problems or they could need an excuse to explain their actions. We are sensitive to this, however false reports can have a detrimental effect on genuine victims.
“When an initial report comes in, resources are allocated to secure the scene of the crime, forensic searches and examinations are conducted and house-to-house enquiries are carried out. Extra patrols are allocated to reassure communities.
“Specially trained officers are utilised to investigate reports of rape and sexual assault and this often requires hours of time spent with the victim, speaking to potential witnesses, and viewing CCTV. We also link in with other services such as Victim Support, to ensure victims are offered the appropriate measures to help them cope.”
Earlier this year, 19-year-old Aisha Mather, of Stevenage, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice, admitting she lied about being raped. Following her claim, a man was even arrested but was released without charge after it was proven she had made it up.
On average, a rape investigation costs around £80,000, this can increase up to £250,000, if it goes to court. However, the financial element is not the biggest expense of a false report.
Supt Chamberlain continued: “The impact that a false report can have on those who have genuinely gone through the experience is significant. It not only takes valuable resources away from helping the real victims of crime, but it can also undermine the trauma they have really had to endure.
“Genuine rape victims first have to come to terms with what has happened, and we find they often question whether people will believe them. It can be an extremely traumatic and distressing time.
“A number of significant jail sentences have handed down to offenders convicted of rape and sexual assault. Their victims have shown significant courage in not only coming forward, but in some cases having to face the person who violated them in court.
“I would urge those thinking of making a false allegation of rape or sexual assault to think twice; you could not only end up with a criminal record but you should spare a thought for those true victims who have actually been through such a distressing ordeal.”
Link: http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/newsandevents/news/2011/december/08/victims_urged_to_consider_consequences_of_false_rape_claims/
Monday, December 19, 2011
Girl jailed over rape claims
A 20-year-old girl has been jailed for two years... after falsely accusing two men of raping her.
Kelly Atkins - who was 18 at the time - claimed she was attacked by her boyfriend Wayne Maddox and his best pal Ricky Lambert.
But a jury at Canterbury Crown Court decided her allegations were a tissue of lies - and convicted her of perverting the course of justice.
Judge Adele Williams: "Rape is a repulsive crime but making false allegations of rape is a dreadful crime."
She told Atkins, of Boleyn Avenue, Margate that her claims had resulted in the two men being arrested in front of their families.
They were then held in custody for 12 hours and ordered to undergo "humiliating and degrading" examinations - one of them described it as: "The most uncomfortable experience of my life".
The judge said that Wayne and Ricky were totally innocent but had been held in cells "until your lies were exposed".
She said making false allegations of rape "undermined public confidence" in the judicial system and "allows doubt to creep in where none should exist."
Atkins had been convicted at a second trial after the first jury failed to agree on a verdict.
But the judge said Atkins - who sat passively in the dock - had been convicted on "clear and compelling evidence".
She added: "I have seen and watched you give evidence and I conclude that you are a manipulative young woman".
She said Atkins - who had planned to join the army - had harassed her ex-boyfriend which had then culminated with the rape allegations.
Her barrister James Bloomer handed in a number of references on Atkins' behalf.
He said they claimed she was a "pleasant and decent young woman in the general run of things."
Link: http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2011/december/8/girl_jailed_over_rape_claims.aspx
Kelly Atkins - who was 18 at the time - claimed she was attacked by her boyfriend Wayne Maddox and his best pal Ricky Lambert.
But a jury at Canterbury Crown Court decided her allegations were a tissue of lies - and convicted her of perverting the course of justice.
Judge Adele Williams: "Rape is a repulsive crime but making false allegations of rape is a dreadful crime."
She told Atkins, of Boleyn Avenue, Margate that her claims had resulted in the two men being arrested in front of their families.
They were then held in custody for 12 hours and ordered to undergo "humiliating and degrading" examinations - one of them described it as: "The most uncomfortable experience of my life".
The judge said that Wayne and Ricky were totally innocent but had been held in cells "until your lies were exposed".
She said making false allegations of rape "undermined public confidence" in the judicial system and "allows doubt to creep in where none should exist."
Atkins had been convicted at a second trial after the first jury failed to agree on a verdict.
But the judge said Atkins - who sat passively in the dock - had been convicted on "clear and compelling evidence".
She added: "I have seen and watched you give evidence and I conclude that you are a manipulative young woman".
She said Atkins - who had planned to join the army - had harassed her ex-boyfriend which had then culminated with the rape allegations.
Her barrister James Bloomer handed in a number of references on Atkins' behalf.
He said they claimed she was a "pleasant and decent young woman in the general run of things."
Link: http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2011/december/8/girl_jailed_over_rape_claims.aspx
Easton police say woman lied about rape incident
A 30-year-old woman who claimed she was dragged into an abandoned building in Easton and sexually assaulted fabricated the story, city police said today.
Police had been probing the incident since Saturday when the woman, whose name is not being released, was found partially clothed on the Lehigh River canal towpath across from Brother Thomas Bright Avenue.
She claimed that a man punched her in the face and dragged her into an abandoned boathouse, restrained her and sexually assaulted her. She was subsequently found by passersby, who called police even though the woman did not want them to, police said.
Easton police Lt. Scott Casterline said police found inconsistencies in the woman's story as early as late Saturday night, but "because this person may have gone through a very traumatic event ... we continued to develop information."
Casterline said the woman is not facing charges at this time, but the possibility remains.
Link: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf/2011/12/easton_police_say_rape_inciden.html
Police had been probing the incident since Saturday when the woman, whose name is not being released, was found partially clothed on the Lehigh River canal towpath across from Brother Thomas Bright Avenue.
She claimed that a man punched her in the face and dragged her into an abandoned boathouse, restrained her and sexually assaulted her. She was subsequently found by passersby, who called police even though the woman did not want them to, police said.
Easton police Lt. Scott Casterline said police found inconsistencies in the woman's story as early as late Saturday night, but "because this person may have gone through a very traumatic event ... we continued to develop information."
Casterline said the woman is not facing charges at this time, but the possibility remains.
"We thought getting to the truth of the matter was more important because of the alarm to the public," Casterline said. "I'd rather have the public not fear for their safety than file a minor criminal charge."Police said the woman "made the story up for personal reasons," but they would not elaborate.
Link: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf/2011/12/easton_police_say_rape_inciden.html
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Policeman struck after man drank eight pints
A MAN who got drunk to celebrate the dismissal of a false rape allegation ended up assaulting a police officer called out to a domestic dispute.
Officers arrived in Wikeley Way, Brimington, and saw Ryan Troth outside the front door of a property asking for his wallet to be returned.
His former partner told him she did not have it and he became abusive towards police, who warned him to stop shouting and swearing, Chesterfield magistrates were told. He then struck out at an officer, the court heard.
Christopher Reynolds, prosecuting, said: “He said in interview he had drunk eight pints and apologised.”
Troth, aged 31, of Outram Road, Newbold, Derbyshire, admitted assault and being drunk and disorderly.
Defending, Steve Brint said : “It was a reckless assault.” Troth was fined £165 and asked to pay £200 to the officer.
Link: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/policeman_struck_after_man_drank_eight_pints_1_4038706
Officers arrived in Wikeley Way, Brimington, and saw Ryan Troth outside the front door of a property asking for his wallet to be returned.
His former partner told him she did not have it and he became abusive towards police, who warned him to stop shouting and swearing, Chesterfield magistrates were told. He then struck out at an officer, the court heard.
Christopher Reynolds, prosecuting, said: “He said in interview he had drunk eight pints and apologised.”
Troth, aged 31, of Outram Road, Newbold, Derbyshire, admitted assault and being drunk and disorderly.
Defending, Steve Brint said : “It was a reckless assault.” Troth was fined £165 and asked to pay £200 to the officer.
Link: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/local/policeman_struck_after_man_drank_eight_pints_1_4038706
Friday, December 16, 2011
Alleged sexual assault case at SAU proven false
Since the alleged sexual assault charge on Oct. 23 on the campus of Spring Arbor University (SAU), the charges have been dropped. An SAU student, 22, made the claim, which was then investigated by Thomas Fiero and the Jackson County police.
The student claimed a man knocked on her door, forced his way into her room and raped her. According to a recent article in the Jackson Citizen Patriot, after interviewing the suspect, the police discovered he was away that weekend at a wedding. The claim was then disproved.
The student was jailed Thursday, Dec. 1 in Jackson and charged with a felony. She was arraigned Friday, Dec. 2.
“[The student is] out on a personal recognisance bond,” said Fiero, director of Campus Safety at SAU. This means she does not have to pay anything unless she doesn’t show up for next court date, which is Friday, Dec. 9.
Due to the alleged sexual assault reports, Fiero along with three directors of SAU Student Development, Kim Hayworth, Bobby Pratt, and Dan Vander Hill have made the decision to keep outer doors of campus dormitories locked 24/7.
Link: http://www.saupulse.com/2011/12/08/alleged/
The student claimed a man knocked on her door, forced his way into her room and raped her. According to a recent article in the Jackson Citizen Patriot, after interviewing the suspect, the police discovered he was away that weekend at a wedding. The claim was then disproved.
The student was jailed Thursday, Dec. 1 in Jackson and charged with a felony. She was arraigned Friday, Dec. 2.
“[The student is] out on a personal recognisance bond,” said Fiero, director of Campus Safety at SAU. This means she does not have to pay anything unless she doesn’t show up for next court date, which is Friday, Dec. 9.
Due to the alleged sexual assault reports, Fiero along with three directors of SAU Student Development, Kim Hayworth, Bobby Pratt, and Dan Vander Hill have made the decision to keep outer doors of campus dormitories locked 24/7.
Link: http://www.saupulse.com/2011/12/08/alleged/
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Woman sentenced for false Gresham rape claim
Another follow up. This time, to our story HERE
Danielle Elizabeth Hayes, 35, of Gresham must serve two years of probation, perform 150 hours of community service, pay $3,000 in restitution to the Gresham Police Department for police overtime costs associated with the investigation and continue with her mental health treatment, according to the sentence imposed by Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Marshall.
A woman who lied this summer about being raped by two men behind a bookstore at a busy shopping center pleaded no contest on Monday, Dec. 5, to a charge of initiating a false police report.
Danielle Elizabeth Hayes, 35, of Gresham must serve two years of probation, perform 150 hours of community service, pay $3,000 in restitution to the Gresham Police Department for police overtime costs associated with the investigation and continue with her mental health treatment, according to the sentence imposed by Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Marshall.
Hayes also has 30 days to write letters of apology to the police department and to the citizens of Gresham
Her false rape report sparked fear throughout East Multnomah County in late July when she claimed that two men grabbed her in broad daylight as she was getting into her minivan next to Borders bookstore, pulled her dress over her head and raped her in the 600 block of Northwest 12th Street.
The distraught woman initially reported the men yanked her wedding ring off her finger during the rape and stole it.
At the time of the report, police asked for the community’s help identifying the attackers. The case was considered unique because most rapes are committed by someone the victim knows and rarely take place in a busy public place in broad daylight.
Five days later, Gresham police held a press conference to announce the woman recanted her story and confessed that she made it up in an elaborate attempt to cover-up personal indiscretions with a man she met online.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Woman Sentenced for Fake Sex Assault Report
A 20-year-old Laguna Niguel woman pleaded guilty Monday to falsely claiming to be the victim of an attempted rape. She was promptly sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years of informal probation.
Danielle Rene Deichman pleaded guilty to filing a false police report and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors, according to court records.
Deichman told Orange County sheriff's investigators she was attacked about 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 while walking on La Paz Road near Kings Road in Laguna Niguel, Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department said when she was arrested earlier this year.
Deichman claimed her attacker jumped out of some bushes and grabbed her from behind, but she escaped after kicking him in the groin, Amormino said.
Deichman's story didn't add up for investigators so they pressed her, and she then admitted she made it up based on the account of another woman whose attempted rape in Laguna Hills received wide media coverage, Amormino said.
When investigators told her it was a crime to file a false claim and attempted to handcuff her, she struggled with deputies, Amormino said.
Link: http://lagunaniguel.patch.com/articles/woman-jailed-for-fake-rape-claim
Danielle Rene Deichman pleaded guilty to filing a false police report and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors, according to court records.
Deichman told Orange County sheriff's investigators she was attacked about 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 while walking on La Paz Road near Kings Road in Laguna Niguel, Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department said when she was arrested earlier this year.
Deichman claimed her attacker jumped out of some bushes and grabbed her from behind, but she escaped after kicking him in the groin, Amormino said.
Deichman's story didn't add up for investigators so they pressed her, and she then admitted she made it up based on the account of another woman whose attempted rape in Laguna Hills received wide media coverage, Amormino said.
When investigators told her it was a crime to file a false claim and attempted to handcuff her, she struggled with deputies, Amormino said.
Link: http://lagunaniguel.patch.com/articles/woman-jailed-for-fake-rape-claim
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Woman accused of falsely reporting sexual assault at Spring Arbor University charged with felony
A follow up to our story HERE.
A woman accused of making an untrue claim of a sexual assault in October at Spring Arbor University has been charged with a felony.
Brittni Johnson, 22, of Jackson, a student at the school, was jailed about 7 p.m. Thursday and arraigned today on a charge of falsely reporting a felony.
She was given a personal recognizance bond, which means she gets out of jail without cost on the promise she appears in court when ordered.
Johnson reported a sexual assault at 10:48 p.m. Oct. 23.
She said she was on campus, staying in a room for the weekend when she heard a knock at the door and found a man standing there, said Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Michael Krumm, commander of the Jackson post. She told police he forced his way into the room and raped her, Krumm said.
Johnson had previously made false reports and investigators were able to disprove her allegations.
Police confirmed the man she identified as her assailant was out of town for the weekend celebrating a wedding anniversary, Krumm said.
The reported assault inspired the university to increase security at its residence halls, a move administrators had discussed for several years.
Doors at the residence halls, once open from 7 a.m. to midnight, now are locked at all times.
Kim Hayworth, vice president for student development and learning, said Johnson still is enrolled at the school. She would not comment further on the student or her status.
An immediate attempt to reach Johnson this afternoon was not successful.
Link: http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2011/12/woman_accused_of_falsely_repor_1.html
A woman accused of making an untrue claim of a sexual assault in October at Spring Arbor University has been charged with a felony.
Brittni Johnson, 22, of Jackson, a student at the school, was jailed about 7 p.m. Thursday and arraigned today on a charge of falsely reporting a felony.
She was given a personal recognizance bond, which means she gets out of jail without cost on the promise she appears in court when ordered.
Johnson reported a sexual assault at 10:48 p.m. Oct. 23.
She said she was on campus, staying in a room for the weekend when she heard a knock at the door and found a man standing there, said Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Michael Krumm, commander of the Jackson post. She told police he forced his way into the room and raped her, Krumm said.
Johnson had previously made false reports and investigators were able to disprove her allegations.
Police confirmed the man she identified as her assailant was out of town for the weekend celebrating a wedding anniversary, Krumm said.
The reported assault inspired the university to increase security at its residence halls, a move administrators had discussed for several years.
Doors at the residence halls, once open from 7 a.m. to midnight, now are locked at all times.
Kim Hayworth, vice president for student development and learning, said Johnson still is enrolled at the school. She would not comment further on the student or her status.
An immediate attempt to reach Johnson this afternoon was not successful.
Link: http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2011/12/woman_accused_of_falsely_repor_1.html
Woman accused of falsely reporting sexual assault at Spring Arbor University charged with felony
A follow up to our story HERE.
A woman accused of making an untrue claim of a sexual assault in October at Spring Arbor University has been charged with a felony.
Brittni Johnson, 22, of Jackson, a student at the school, was jailed about 7 p.m. Thursday and arraigned today on a charge of falsely reporting a felony.
She was given a personal recognizance bond, which means she gets out of jail without cost on the promise she appears in court when ordered.
Johnson reported a sexual assault at 10:48 p.m. Oct. 23.
She said she was on campus, staying in a room for the weekend when she heard a knock at the door and found a man standing there, said Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Michael Krumm, commander of the Jackson post. She told police he forced his way into the room and raped her, Krumm said.
Johnson had previously made false reports and investigators were able to disprove her allegations.
Police confirmed the man she identified as her assailant was out of town for the weekend celebrating a wedding anniversary, Krumm said.
The reported assault inspired the university to increase security at its residence halls, a move administrators had discussed for several years.
Doors at the residence halls, once open from 7 a.m. to midnight, now are locked at all times.
Kim Hayworth, vice president for student development and learning, said Johnson still is enrolled at the school. She would not comment further on the student or her status.
An immediate attempt to reach Johnson this afternoon was not successful.
Link: http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2011/12/woman_accused_of_falsely_repor_1.html
A woman accused of making an untrue claim of a sexual assault in October at Spring Arbor University has been charged with a felony.
Brittni Johnson, 22, of Jackson, a student at the school, was jailed about 7 p.m. Thursday and arraigned today on a charge of falsely reporting a felony.
She was given a personal recognizance bond, which means she gets out of jail without cost on the promise she appears in court when ordered.
Johnson reported a sexual assault at 10:48 p.m. Oct. 23.
She said she was on campus, staying in a room for the weekend when she heard a knock at the door and found a man standing there, said Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Michael Krumm, commander of the Jackson post. She told police he forced his way into the room and raped her, Krumm said.
Johnson had previously made false reports and investigators were able to disprove her allegations.
Police confirmed the man she identified as her assailant was out of town for the weekend celebrating a wedding anniversary, Krumm said.
The reported assault inspired the university to increase security at its residence halls, a move administrators had discussed for several years.
Doors at the residence halls, once open from 7 a.m. to midnight, now are locked at all times.
Kim Hayworth, vice president for student development and learning, said Johnson still is enrolled at the school. She would not comment further on the student or her status.
An immediate attempt to reach Johnson this afternoon was not successful.
Link: http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2011/12/woman_accused_of_falsely_repor_1.html
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Dad blasts 'attention seeking' daughter after she's jailed for two false rape claims
A YOUNG mum who made two false rape allegations in 10 months was jailed yesterday.
Twisted Dorothy Russell , 20, admitted falsely accusing an ex-boyfriend of raping her - while awaiting sentence for lying to police that another man had assaulted her and threatened rape.
Yesterday, she was jailed for six months after a sheriff told her that her lies had risked the freedom of innocent men and undermined real rape victims.
After the hearing, mum-of-one Russell's despairing father said he believed his daughter committed the crimes because "she likes being the centre of attention".
Cupar Sheriff Court heard how the Russell marched into the Fife town's police station in June claiming that Neil Ireland, her neighbour and ex-boyfriend, had raped her.
She had a full medical examination and forensic teams ripped apart the flat where the alleged crime took place.
Mr Ireland was held in custody for more than 12 hours until several text messages exchanged between him and Russell eventually proved his innocence.
Brian Robertson, prosecuting, told the court: "Russell had started a new relationship but still had feelings for her ex-boyfriend (Mr Ireland).
"The pair swapped texts in which sex was discussed and later met up.
"The messages confirmed that she went to the house with the specific intention to have sex.
"They had consensual sex but Russell later went to police to report she'd been raped.
"It is not clear whether it was to cover up matters from her new boyfriend, or as retribution against her old boyfriend for not wanting to restart their relationship."
When detectives found the incriminating text messages, Russell stuck to her rape story, claiming she'd only sent the messages to "wind up" Mr Ireland.
Mr Robertson said she eventually admitted that she had consented to sex and said "nothing untoward" had happened between them.
Just a month before putting Mr Ireland through hell, Russell had been found guilty of a similar offence which happened in August 2010.
On that occasion, she went to Levenmouth police station and claimed a man called Matthew Shippin had assaulted and threatened to rape her.
It is understood she was infatuated with 20-year-old Mr Shippin and fabricated the stories after he ignored her advances.
Police brought him in for questioning but released him after the accusation was proved false and charged Russell with wasting police time.
When she appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in May, her sentence was deferred for her to be of good behaviour.
Sheriff Charles Macnair told Russell she would have been imprisoned for nine months if it had not been for her early guilty plea.
He told her that changes in the attitude of the police to rape victims were "completely undermined" by false accusations, particularly when intercourse had taken place.
He said: "In your case, it was lucky there were text messages which exposed your lies.
"Without them, it is highly likely that the complainer would have been prosecuted in the High Court.
"What makes it worse is that when you committed this offence, you were on deferred sentence for an identical offence."
Russell's father, Iain, 44, said he had tried to help his daughter but she had shunned her family.
He said: "Dorothy always liked being the centre of attention.
"When she was at school, she made allegations against other pupils that ended up getting her brothers in trouble when they tried to deal with it. We tried to help and support her but she kept moving out."
Link: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2011/12/02/dad-blasts-attention-seeking-daughter-after-she-s-jailed-for-two-false-rape-claims-86908-23604256/
Twisted Dorothy Russell , 20, admitted falsely accusing an ex-boyfriend of raping her - while awaiting sentence for lying to police that another man had assaulted her and threatened rape.
Yesterday, she was jailed for six months after a sheriff told her that her lies had risked the freedom of innocent men and undermined real rape victims.
After the hearing, mum-of-one Russell's despairing father said he believed his daughter committed the crimes because "she likes being the centre of attention".
Cupar Sheriff Court heard how the Russell marched into the Fife town's police station in June claiming that Neil Ireland, her neighbour and ex-boyfriend, had raped her.
She had a full medical examination and forensic teams ripped apart the flat where the alleged crime took place.
Mr Ireland was held in custody for more than 12 hours until several text messages exchanged between him and Russell eventually proved his innocence.
Brian Robertson, prosecuting, told the court: "Russell had started a new relationship but still had feelings for her ex-boyfriend (Mr Ireland).
"The pair swapped texts in which sex was discussed and later met up.
"The messages confirmed that she went to the house with the specific intention to have sex.
"They had consensual sex but Russell later went to police to report she'd been raped.
"It is not clear whether it was to cover up matters from her new boyfriend, or as retribution against her old boyfriend for not wanting to restart their relationship."
When detectives found the incriminating text messages, Russell stuck to her rape story, claiming she'd only sent the messages to "wind up" Mr Ireland.
Mr Robertson said she eventually admitted that she had consented to sex and said "nothing untoward" had happened between them.
Just a month before putting Mr Ireland through hell, Russell had been found guilty of a similar offence which happened in August 2010.
On that occasion, she went to Levenmouth police station and claimed a man called Matthew Shippin had assaulted and threatened to rape her.
It is understood she was infatuated with 20-year-old Mr Shippin and fabricated the stories after he ignored her advances.
Police brought him in for questioning but released him after the accusation was proved false and charged Russell with wasting police time.
When she appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in May, her sentence was deferred for her to be of good behaviour.
Sheriff Charles Macnair told Russell she would have been imprisoned for nine months if it had not been for her early guilty plea.
He told her that changes in the attitude of the police to rape victims were "completely undermined" by false accusations, particularly when intercourse had taken place.
He said: "In your case, it was lucky there were text messages which exposed your lies.
"Without them, it is highly likely that the complainer would have been prosecuted in the High Court.
"What makes it worse is that when you committed this offence, you were on deferred sentence for an identical offence."
Russell's father, Iain, 44, said he had tried to help his daughter but she had shunned her family.
He said: "Dorothy always liked being the centre of attention.
"When she was at school, she made allegations against other pupils that ended up getting her brothers in trouble when they tried to deal with it. We tried to help and support her but she kept moving out."
Link: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2011/12/02/dad-blasts-attention-seeking-daughter-after-she-s-jailed-for-two-false-rape-claims-86908-23604256/
Dad blasts 'attention seeking' daughter after she's jailed for two false rape claims
A YOUNG mum who made two false rape allegations in 10 months was jailed yesterday.
Twisted Dorothy Russell , 20, admitted falsely accusing an ex-boyfriend of raping her - while awaiting sentence for lying to police that another man had assaulted her and threatened rape.
Yesterday, she was jailed for six months after a sheriff told her that her lies had risked the freedom of innocent men and undermined real rape victims.
After the hearing, mum-of-one Russell's despairing father said he believed his daughter committed the crimes because "she likes being the centre of attention".
Cupar Sheriff Court heard how the Russell marched into the Fife town's police station in June claiming that Neil Ireland, her neighbour and ex-boyfriend, had raped her.
She had a full medical examination and forensic teams ripped apart the flat where the alleged crime took place.
Mr Ireland was held in custody for more than 12 hours until several text messages exchanged between him and Russell eventually proved his innocence.
Brian Robertson, prosecuting, told the court: "Russell had started a new relationship but still had feelings for her ex-boyfriend (Mr Ireland).
"The pair swapped texts in which sex was discussed and later met up.
"The messages confirmed that she went to the house with the specific intention to have sex.
"They had consensual sex but Russell later went to police to report she'd been raped.
"It is not clear whether it was to cover up matters from her new boyfriend, or as retribution against her old boyfriend for not wanting to restart their relationship."
When detectives found the incriminating text messages, Russell stuck to her rape story, claiming she'd only sent the messages to "wind up" Mr Ireland.
Mr Robertson said she eventually admitted that she had consented to sex and said "nothing untoward" had happened between them.
Just a month before putting Mr Ireland through hell, Russell had been found guilty of a similar offence which happened in August 2010.
On that occasion, she went to Levenmouth police station and claimed a man called Matthew Shippin had assaulted and threatened to rape her.
It is understood she was infatuated with 20-year-old Mr Shippin and fabricated the stories after he ignored her advances.
Police brought him in for questioning but released him after the accusation was proved false and charged Russell with wasting police time.
When she appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in May, her sentence was deferred for her to be of good behaviour.
Sheriff Charles Macnair told Russell she would have been imprisoned for nine months if it had not been for her early guilty plea.
He told her that changes in the attitude of the police to rape victims were "completely undermined" by false accusations, particularly when intercourse had taken place.
He said: "In your case, it was lucky there were text messages which exposed your lies.
"Without them, it is highly likely that the complainer would have been prosecuted in the High Court.
"What makes it worse is that when you committed this offence, you were on deferred sentence for an identical offence."
Russell's father, Iain, 44, said he had tried to help his daughter but she had shunned her family.
He said: "Dorothy always liked being the centre of attention.
"When she was at school, she made allegations against other pupils that ended up getting her brothers in trouble when they tried to deal with it. We tried to help and support her but she kept moving out."
Link: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2011/12/02/dad-blasts-attention-seeking-daughter-after-she-s-jailed-for-two-false-rape-claims-86908-23604256/
Twisted Dorothy Russell , 20, admitted falsely accusing an ex-boyfriend of raping her - while awaiting sentence for lying to police that another man had assaulted her and threatened rape.
Yesterday, she was jailed for six months after a sheriff told her that her lies had risked the freedom of innocent men and undermined real rape victims.
After the hearing, mum-of-one Russell's despairing father said he believed his daughter committed the crimes because "she likes being the centre of attention".
Cupar Sheriff Court heard how the Russell marched into the Fife town's police station in June claiming that Neil Ireland, her neighbour and ex-boyfriend, had raped her.
She had a full medical examination and forensic teams ripped apart the flat where the alleged crime took place.
Mr Ireland was held in custody for more than 12 hours until several text messages exchanged between him and Russell eventually proved his innocence.
Brian Robertson, prosecuting, told the court: "Russell had started a new relationship but still had feelings for her ex-boyfriend (Mr Ireland).
"The pair swapped texts in which sex was discussed and later met up.
"The messages confirmed that she went to the house with the specific intention to have sex.
"They had consensual sex but Russell later went to police to report she'd been raped.
"It is not clear whether it was to cover up matters from her new boyfriend, or as retribution against her old boyfriend for not wanting to restart their relationship."
When detectives found the incriminating text messages, Russell stuck to her rape story, claiming she'd only sent the messages to "wind up" Mr Ireland.
Mr Robertson said she eventually admitted that she had consented to sex and said "nothing untoward" had happened between them.
Just a month before putting Mr Ireland through hell, Russell had been found guilty of a similar offence which happened in August 2010.
On that occasion, she went to Levenmouth police station and claimed a man called Matthew Shippin had assaulted and threatened to rape her.
It is understood she was infatuated with 20-year-old Mr Shippin and fabricated the stories after he ignored her advances.
Police brought him in for questioning but released him after the accusation was proved false and charged Russell with wasting police time.
When she appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in May, her sentence was deferred for her to be of good behaviour.
Sheriff Charles Macnair told Russell she would have been imprisoned for nine months if it had not been for her early guilty plea.
He told her that changes in the attitude of the police to rape victims were "completely undermined" by false accusations, particularly when intercourse had taken place.
He said: "In your case, it was lucky there were text messages which exposed your lies.
"Without them, it is highly likely that the complainer would have been prosecuted in the High Court.
"What makes it worse is that when you committed this offence, you were on deferred sentence for an identical offence."
Russell's father, Iain, 44, said he had tried to help his daughter but she had shunned her family.
He said: "Dorothy always liked being the centre of attention.
"When she was at school, she made allegations against other pupils that ended up getting her brothers in trouble when they tried to deal with it. We tried to help and support her but she kept moving out."
Link: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2011/12/02/dad-blasts-attention-seeking-daughter-after-she-s-jailed-for-two-false-rape-claims-86908-23604256/
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Woman sent to prison for false rape claim
A 30-year-old woman has been sent to prison in Guernsey after falsely claiming she was raped.
Joanna Gallienne admitted perverting the course of justice and was been given a 13 week sentence.
She was in a civil partnership with another woman when the incident happened in May.
Police investigated the matter although they did not believe her. The man involved was never arrested.
Link: http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_guernseynews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=497189
Joanna Gallienne admitted perverting the course of justice and was been given a 13 week sentence.
She was in a civil partnership with another woman when the incident happened in May.
Police investigated the matter although they did not believe her. The man involved was never arrested.
Link: http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_guernseynews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=497189
Woman sent to prison for false rape claim
A 30-year-old woman has been sent to prison in Guernsey after falsely claiming she was raped.
Joanna Gallienne admitted perverting the course of justice and was been given a 13 week sentence.
She was in a civil partnership with another woman when the incident happened in May.
Police investigated the matter although they did not believe her. The man involved was never arrested.
Link: http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_guernseynews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=497189
Joanna Gallienne admitted perverting the course of justice and was been given a 13 week sentence.
She was in a civil partnership with another woman when the incident happened in May.
Police investigated the matter although they did not believe her. The man involved was never arrested.
Link: http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_guernseynews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=497189
Thursday, December 1, 2011
AP man not guilty in sexual assault trial
SEBRING - After four-and-half years, Wesley Noah Cook got his day in court on Monday.
A jury of his peers found Cook not guilty of having sex with a 17-year-old under his foster care after just an hour of deliberations.
Cook, now 42, was charged in August of 2007. The original charges were dropped, and then refiled a few days later.
The entire time, Cook has maintained his innocence.
"All I wanted was my day in court. I knew I would be found innocent if I could just get my day in court," Cook said on Monday night after the jury returned the not guilty verdict.
"It's like a huge weight off my shoulders. I don't have any ill feelings, this was just something where young girls said something wrong and then couldn't back down," Cook said.
According to Cook's defense attorney Guillermo Gomez, Cook had prohibited the girl under his care from having a lesbian relationship, and that led to retaliation and accusation.
"It was clear that the victim had made a false accusation. Her accusations fell apart finally because they were false," said Gomez. "Justice was finally served."
But Gomez added that the way the case was handled was also wrong.
"These cases should be prosecuted, but there should have been a better screening process before charges were brought. The girl was interrogated for four hours by two untrained detectives without proper representation. She denied anything happened until she was so exhausted that she would say anything to make them stop. The DNA evidence on a towel turned out to be from another man, and we had trouble getting this trial to court," Gomez said.
Additionally, a rape kit taken within 72 hours of the original accusation did not turn up any of Cook's DNA.
"The case was mismanaged from the start. All at a huge expense to Mr. Cook and to the Highlands County taxpayer," Gomez said.
"For some reason, they got involved with this case and couldn't see the forest for the trees," Gomez said about the State Attorney's Office.
"I really don't understand why this case went this far. My client has maintained his innocence from the beginning. He has refused plea bargains that would have made this go away several times over, and he finally got his day in court," Gomez said.
During a hearing on April 7, 2010 in front of Judge Peter Estrada at the Highlands County Courthouse, defense attorney Guillermo Gomez said DNA evidence taken by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) from a towel from Cook's house belongs to another man.
Cook still faces a second set of charges for allegedly making the two girls have lesbian sex, but Gomez said that charge should also be dropped.
"Well, this case has been so unpredictable, but those charges were for a supposed event in July of 2007, and it has been shown that the girls' testimony is not credible," Gomez said.
"We have a trial scheduled in January, but I suspect those charges will be dropped. I mean, the jury would had have to have seen it happen before they could find him guilty," Gomez said. "I just knew that the justice system would work on this one."
"I just want to get on with my life," said Cook.
Link: http://www.newssun.com/news/112311-eb-cook
A jury of his peers found Cook not guilty of having sex with a 17-year-old under his foster care after just an hour of deliberations.
Cook, now 42, was charged in August of 2007. The original charges were dropped, and then refiled a few days later.
The entire time, Cook has maintained his innocence.
"All I wanted was my day in court. I knew I would be found innocent if I could just get my day in court," Cook said on Monday night after the jury returned the not guilty verdict.
"It's like a huge weight off my shoulders. I don't have any ill feelings, this was just something where young girls said something wrong and then couldn't back down," Cook said.
According to Cook's defense attorney Guillermo Gomez, Cook had prohibited the girl under his care from having a lesbian relationship, and that led to retaliation and accusation.
"It was clear that the victim had made a false accusation. Her accusations fell apart finally because they were false," said Gomez. "Justice was finally served."
But Gomez added that the way the case was handled was also wrong.
"These cases should be prosecuted, but there should have been a better screening process before charges were brought. The girl was interrogated for four hours by two untrained detectives without proper representation. She denied anything happened until she was so exhausted that she would say anything to make them stop. The DNA evidence on a towel turned out to be from another man, and we had trouble getting this trial to court," Gomez said.
Additionally, a rape kit taken within 72 hours of the original accusation did not turn up any of Cook's DNA.
"The case was mismanaged from the start. All at a huge expense to Mr. Cook and to the Highlands County taxpayer," Gomez said.
"For some reason, they got involved with this case and couldn't see the forest for the trees," Gomez said about the State Attorney's Office.
"I really don't understand why this case went this far. My client has maintained his innocence from the beginning. He has refused plea bargains that would have made this go away several times over, and he finally got his day in court," Gomez said.
During a hearing on April 7, 2010 in front of Judge Peter Estrada at the Highlands County Courthouse, defense attorney Guillermo Gomez said DNA evidence taken by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) from a towel from Cook's house belongs to another man.
Cook still faces a second set of charges for allegedly making the two girls have lesbian sex, but Gomez said that charge should also be dropped.
"Well, this case has been so unpredictable, but those charges were for a supposed event in July of 2007, and it has been shown that the girls' testimony is not credible," Gomez said.
"We have a trial scheduled in January, but I suspect those charges will be dropped. I mean, the jury would had have to have seen it happen before they could find him guilty," Gomez said. "I just knew that the justice system would work on this one."
"I just want to get on with my life," said Cook.
Link: http://www.newssun.com/news/112311-eb-cook
AP man not guilty in sexual assault trial
SEBRING - After four-and-half years, Wesley Noah Cook got his day in court on Monday.
A jury of his peers found Cook not guilty of having sex with a 17-year-old under his foster care after just an hour of deliberations.
Cook, now 42, was charged in August of 2007. The original charges were dropped, and then refiled a few days later.
The entire time, Cook has maintained his innocence.
"All I wanted was my day in court. I knew I would be found innocent if I could just get my day in court," Cook said on Monday night after the jury returned the not guilty verdict.
"It's like a huge weight off my shoulders. I don't have any ill feelings, this was just something where young girls said something wrong and then couldn't back down," Cook said.
According to Cook's defense attorney Guillermo Gomez, Cook had prohibited the girl under his care from having a lesbian relationship, and that led to retaliation and accusation.
"It was clear that the victim had made a false accusation. Her accusations fell apart finally because they were false," said Gomez. "Justice was finally served."
But Gomez added that the way the case was handled was also wrong.
"These cases should be prosecuted, but there should have been a better screening process before charges were brought. The girl was interrogated for four hours by two untrained detectives without proper representation. She denied anything happened until she was so exhausted that she would say anything to make them stop. The DNA evidence on a towel turned out to be from another man, and we had trouble getting this trial to court," Gomez said.
Additionally, a rape kit taken within 72 hours of the original accusation did not turn up any of Cook's DNA.
"The case was mismanaged from the start. All at a huge expense to Mr. Cook and to the Highlands County taxpayer," Gomez said.
"For some reason, they got involved with this case and couldn't see the forest for the trees," Gomez said about the State Attorney's Office.
"I really don't understand why this case went this far. My client has maintained his innocence from the beginning. He has refused plea bargains that would have made this go away several times over, and he finally got his day in court," Gomez said.
During a hearing on April 7, 2010 in front of Judge Peter Estrada at the Highlands County Courthouse, defense attorney Guillermo Gomez said DNA evidence taken by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) from a towel from Cook's house belongs to another man.
Cook still faces a second set of charges for allegedly making the two girls have lesbian sex, but Gomez said that charge should also be dropped.
"Well, this case has been so unpredictable, but those charges were for a supposed event in July of 2007, and it has been shown that the girls' testimony is not credible," Gomez said.
"We have a trial scheduled in January, but I suspect those charges will be dropped. I mean, the jury would had have to have seen it happen before they could find him guilty," Gomez said. "I just knew that the justice system would work on this one."
"I just want to get on with my life," said Cook.
Link: http://www.newssun.com/news/112311-eb-cook
A jury of his peers found Cook not guilty of having sex with a 17-year-old under his foster care after just an hour of deliberations.
Cook, now 42, was charged in August of 2007. The original charges were dropped, and then refiled a few days later.
The entire time, Cook has maintained his innocence.
"All I wanted was my day in court. I knew I would be found innocent if I could just get my day in court," Cook said on Monday night after the jury returned the not guilty verdict.
"It's like a huge weight off my shoulders. I don't have any ill feelings, this was just something where young girls said something wrong and then couldn't back down," Cook said.
According to Cook's defense attorney Guillermo Gomez, Cook had prohibited the girl under his care from having a lesbian relationship, and that led to retaliation and accusation.
"It was clear that the victim had made a false accusation. Her accusations fell apart finally because they were false," said Gomez. "Justice was finally served."
But Gomez added that the way the case was handled was also wrong.
"These cases should be prosecuted, but there should have been a better screening process before charges were brought. The girl was interrogated for four hours by two untrained detectives without proper representation. She denied anything happened until she was so exhausted that she would say anything to make them stop. The DNA evidence on a towel turned out to be from another man, and we had trouble getting this trial to court," Gomez said.
Additionally, a rape kit taken within 72 hours of the original accusation did not turn up any of Cook's DNA.
"The case was mismanaged from the start. All at a huge expense to Mr. Cook and to the Highlands County taxpayer," Gomez said.
"For some reason, they got involved with this case and couldn't see the forest for the trees," Gomez said about the State Attorney's Office.
"I really don't understand why this case went this far. My client has maintained his innocence from the beginning. He has refused plea bargains that would have made this go away several times over, and he finally got his day in court," Gomez said.
During a hearing on April 7, 2010 in front of Judge Peter Estrada at the Highlands County Courthouse, defense attorney Guillermo Gomez said DNA evidence taken by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) from a towel from Cook's house belongs to another man.
Cook still faces a second set of charges for allegedly making the two girls have lesbian sex, but Gomez said that charge should also be dropped.
"Well, this case has been so unpredictable, but those charges were for a supposed event in July of 2007, and it has been shown that the girls' testimony is not credible," Gomez said.
"We have a trial scheduled in January, but I suspect those charges will be dropped. I mean, the jury would had have to have seen it happen before they could find him guilty," Gomez said. "I just knew that the justice system would work on this one."
"I just want to get on with my life," said Cook.
Link: http://www.newssun.com/news/112311-eb-cook
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Cleveland school official's children charged with lying about rape
Liberty County sheriff's detectives have arrested two children of the Cleveland Independent School District board president for allegedly lying to police about an alcohol-fueled party at their home where a teenage girl says she was raped, authorities said.
Capt. Rex Evans with the Liberty County Sheriff's Office said detectives arrested Kyle Lee Lewis, 20, and Rachel Leigh Lewis, 17, Monday on a misdemeanor charge of false reporting. The siblings, children of board president Lloyd T. Lewis, hosted a party while their parents were out of town Nov. 9, Evans said.
"Evidently Kyle and Rachel invited several people over, and several people grew into more people and more people," Evans said, adding that alcohol was consumed at the party.
He said authorities received a 911 call that night from a neighbor who said a young woman knocked on her door, half-dressed and distraught, saying she had been raped.
"You can clearly hear (the victim) in the background, very distraught, very upset, indicating that she had been raped," Evans said.
Evidence sent to DPS
The alleged victim, 17, told authorities that "at some point in the evening, a person or persons were involved in forcing her down and sexually assaulting her. She indicated that she managed to escape the house, and that even though all those people were there, evidently no one attempted to help her," Evans said.
Evans said the sheriff's office has interviewed witnesses at the party and has sent evidence to the Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab for testing.
"Everybody that is not being truthful with us is facing a criminal charge for making a false statement," he said.
In addition to Kyle and Rachel Lewis, authorities arrested an 18-year-old Houston woman, Shelby Lofton, on the same false reporting charge. Another man is expected to be arrested, Evans said, though he could provide no more information.
The Lewis family did not return a phone call on Tuesday.
Link: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Cleveland-school-official-s-children-charged-with-2282684.php
Capt. Rex Evans with the Liberty County Sheriff's Office said detectives arrested Kyle Lee Lewis, 20, and Rachel Leigh Lewis, 17, Monday on a misdemeanor charge of false reporting. The siblings, children of board president Lloyd T. Lewis, hosted a party while their parents were out of town Nov. 9, Evans said.
"Evidently Kyle and Rachel invited several people over, and several people grew into more people and more people," Evans said, adding that alcohol was consumed at the party.
He said authorities received a 911 call that night from a neighbor who said a young woman knocked on her door, half-dressed and distraught, saying she had been raped.
"You can clearly hear (the victim) in the background, very distraught, very upset, indicating that she had been raped," Evans said.
Evidence sent to DPS
The alleged victim, 17, told authorities that "at some point in the evening, a person or persons were involved in forcing her down and sexually assaulting her. She indicated that she managed to escape the house, and that even though all those people were there, evidently no one attempted to help her," Evans said.
Evans said the sheriff's office has interviewed witnesses at the party and has sent evidence to the Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab for testing.
"Everybody that is not being truthful with us is facing a criminal charge for making a false statement," he said.
In addition to Kyle and Rachel Lewis, authorities arrested an 18-year-old Houston woman, Shelby Lofton, on the same false reporting charge. Another man is expected to be arrested, Evans said, though he could provide no more information.
The Lewis family did not return a phone call on Tuesday.
Link: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Cleveland-school-official-s-children-charged-with-2282684.php
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