A West New York woman, 18, has been charged with perjury for falsely reporting to police that she was sexually assaulted in Jersey City last month, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Yesterday 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, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.
She was arrested without incident at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City.
The woman, whose identity has not been released, has been charged with perjury, false swearing, and making false reports to law enforcement. She was released after her arrest and her first appearance is scheduled for January 7th at 10 a.m.
On Saturday, December 11th, 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 30th, at approximately 12:00 p.m., she was walking in the area of Weldon Street and Dekalb Avenue when an unknown man 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,” Suarez said in a statement.
“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 HCPO announced they were investigating the incident on Monday.
