Kate Snyder

Reporter

ZANESVILLE - A Zanesville woman pleaded guilty Monday to charges stemming from reporting a false rape.

Katheran M. Lindell, 20, pleaded guilty in Muskingum County Common Pleas Court to falsification, a first-degree misdemeanor, and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony. For the felony, she faces a maximum of three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

On July 21, Lindell called 911 and said she was in a house and didn't know how she got there, Muskingum County Assistant Prosecutor Ron Welch said in court. She reported that she woke up and was undressed and she believed she had been raped.

She claimed to have no memory of what happened, and her last memory was of being in a drug store, and she remembered seeing the car of a man she knew in the parking lot, Welch said. The man, she claimed, had been sexually harassing her.

Through an investigation, law enforcement officers discovered Lindell had been in a consensual relationship with the man, and she admitted to lying about being raped, Welch said.

Her bond was set at $10,000 cash, property or surety. Her defense attorney argued for a reduction in bond, but Welch opposed it.

The state, Welch said, would be seeking prison time for the charges, and reducing bond would be inappropriate.

"It was an intentional act that could have altered somebody's life forever," he said.

Sexual assault is a very serious crime, and it's very hard to prosecute, Welch said. People like Lindell, who lie about it, make it harder.

Common Pleas Judge Kelly Cottrill ordered bond to remain. Lindell's sentencing will be scheduled later.

ksnyder2@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

740-450-6752

Twitter: @KL_Snyder