Van Woman Charged With Filing False Police Report

A Van woman has been charged with filing a false report to a police officer/law enforcement employee after she told Van Police Officers that she had been sexually assaulted last week.

Liberty Woodward, 32, Van, told officers that a man had sexually assaulted her in her apartment and that she only knew his first name.

"She told us he was a truck driver and that she had met him on the internet a few months ago," said Van Police Chief Kelly Smith.

Smith and Officer Preston Roberts were able to locate the man just north of Waco.

"He gave his statement and we came back to question Mrs. Woodward again," said Smith.

"She then confessed to us that she had given us a false statement and that she had not been sexually assaulted," said Smith.

Smith said that the Van Police Department, as well as other police agencies, does not take these things lightly.

"Filing a false report is serious business. No matter what the report involves, if you lie, you will face punishment for your actions," said Smith.

Woodard turned herself in to authorities and could face up to a $2,000 fine and 180 days in jail.