Groveland Woman Accused of Filing False Rape Report

A 38-year-old Groveland woman is facing felony charges for allegedly filing false reports of rape and abduction with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

She has been booked on charges of filing a false report to law enforcement and making false official statements.

The woman apparently told police that her ex-boyfriend abducted her on March 30 from the Los Compadres Meat Market and took her against her will to a wooded area off Van Fleet Trail in Groveland where he raped her.

She was examined at South Lake Hospital and detectives began investigating the allegations right away.

Detectives claim that surveillance videos from the store showed that no abduction actually occurred. When investigators went to confront the woman, she allegedly admitted she lied because she knew her ex-boyfriend was planning on leaving town and she was afraid he would take their children with him.

According to deputies, various resources and 56 hours were poured into investigating the woman’s false claims.

False allegations of rape can be devastating and humiliating. Out of nowhere, you may find yourself accused of committing a violent sexual act and at the center of a very public investigation. Your family, friends and co-workers may learn intimate details of your life that could tarnish your reputation forever. Sadly, being accused of rape can have overwhelming consequences for you. Once you are accused of rape, the allegations cannot be taken back, and police will conduct a lengthy investigation into your life and background. A Florida Sex Crimes Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help you through this difficult situation and defend you against any charges of sexual misconduct.

There are many reasons people are falsely accused of rape. Some of the most common being:

• Regret over sexual indiscretions
• Revenge, anger or spite
• Mental health problems or disorders
• Ploy for sympathy or attention

Once an accusation of rape is made, police often take the word of the accuser before investigating the truth behind these statements. Sex crimes trigger highly emotional responses, which can cloud the judgments of police and prosecutors alike. Because of this, it is very important to the outcome of your case to speak with a sex crimes defense lawyer before making any statements to police, regardless of your innocence. While your first instinct may be to speak with law enforcement agents in an attempt to clear your name, your words can be twisted and used against you. A Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton is your best ally if you have been falsely accused of rape or sexual assault.

Combatting a false rape allegation requires a detailed investigation into the facts of your case. At Whittel & Melton, we work tirelessly to speak with any witnesses and track down any key pieces of evidence. We thoroughly review the credibility of your accuser and will vigorously attack the allegations against you. If you’re facing a sex crimes charge in Florida, contact a Florida Sex Crimes Defense Lawyer at Whittel & Melton as soon as possible. We will aggressively fight for your rights and make sure you are treated fairly. For a free consultation, call us today statewide and toll-free at 866-608-5529.