Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez on Friday 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.
Prosecutor Suarez said she was arrested without incident at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City.
On Saturday, December 11, shortly before 12:30 p.m., Prosecutor Suarez said 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.
The 18-year-old reported that on Tuesday, November 30, at approximately noon, 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 the 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,” Prosecutor Suarez said.
Police charged the woman 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, at 10:00 a.m.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.