A 46-year-old woman claimed she was raped by a Birmingham police officer during her DUI arrest, and today that woman is behind bars for making a false statement.

Venita Kimber is charged with making a false report to law enforcement, in addition to several other charges.

Birmingham police spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards provided this account of what happened:

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, West Precinct officers were dispatched to a report of a traffic accident in the 6000 block of Ivy Street. Witnesses told police the female driver of a red Dodge Avenger - later identified as Kimber - hit three parked cars and a light pole prior to fleeing the scene.

Police later saw the Dodge parked in the driveway at 6013 Ivy Street. In front of witnesses, officers removed Kimber from the vehicle, placed her under arrest for DUI and leaving the scene of an accident, and put her in the back seat of a patrol cruiser.

She was taken to UAB Hospital to be checked out and, while there, told a UAB nurse that she was raped by a police officer at the scene. She was then taken to SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) where a rape kit was performed, Edwards said.

From SANE, Kimber was taken to the Birmingham police headquarters where she was interviewed by a detective. She continued her allegations that she was sodomized by an officer until she was confronted with video evidence showing otherwise. The in-car video, as well as body camera footage, showed the officer escorting Kimber from the car and arresting her for DUI.

Once presented with the video, Edwards said Kimber admitted she lied and that at no time did an officer force her to have oral sex. "The defendant stated that she was mad because she was going to jail, and made the allegations up,'' Edwards said.

She was taken to the Birmingham City Jail where she was charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and escape. On Wednesday, Edward said, the additional warrant for making a false statement was obtained against her.

Having already bonded out on the initial charges, Kimber was arrested again Thursday by the West Precinct Task Force.

"I was blindsided when I was notified of the on-duty sexual assault allegation,'' said Birmingham police chief A.C. Roper. "However; I am proud of the way we responded according to our department protocols and investigation."

The chief said the body camera video clearly exonerated the officer. "Her accusation could have destroyed this officer's life, family and career, and caused damage to our department and our relationship with the community we serve,'' Roper said. "In fact, her false accusation is a total affront to the many women who are sexually assaulted and deal with the doubt and skepticism regarding their story. This incident clearly shows the importance of police body cameras in today's society."