West New York Woman Arrested for Falsely Reporting Sexual Assault

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Friday, December 17, 2021, at approximately 11:15 a.m., members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit arrested an 18-year-old woman from West New York on charges involving the false report of a sexual assault to law enforcement officers. She was arrested without incident at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City.

The woman has been charged with Perjury in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:28-1a, a third-degree crime; False Swearing in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:28-2a, a fourth-degree crime; and False Reports to Law Enforcement in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4b(1). She was released after her arrest and her first appearance is scheduled for January 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

On Saturday, December 11, 2021, shortly before 12:30 p.m., members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit received a referral from the Union City Police Department of a possible sexual assault that occurred in Jersey City in November. It was reported by the 18-year-old that on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at approximately 12:00 p.m., she was walking in the area of Weldon Street and Dekalb Avenue in Jersey City when an unknown male approached her from behind, sexually assaulted her and then ran away.

After a thorough investigation, which included the review of surveillance footage of the area and time of the alleged crime, SVU detectives filed the false report charges. The Special Victims Unit invested valuable time and resources that could have been used on other investigations. We strongly encourage all victims of a sexual assault to call the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 201-915-1234. Your case will be investigated thoroughly and with respect and dignity.

The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6 (b)(6)