NEW BETHLEHEM, Pa. (EYT) – A New Bethlehem woman is facing criminal charges for providing a false written statement indicating that she had been raped by her ex-husband.
According to court documents, New Bethlehem Borough Police filed charges against 27-year-old Brandi Lynn Stephens, of New Bethlehem.
According to a criminal complaint, on February 12, 2016, Brandi Lynn Stephens provided a detailed, written statement to Officer Nicole Peck stating that her ex-husband Michael Schmidt raped her at her apartment.
Sergeant Roger Wright interviewed Schmidt and advised him of the allegations against him. Schmidt stated that he did go to her apartment, and they talked. Then, she went into the bathroom to get a shower, and he followed her in. Schmidt denied raping Stephens, the complaint states.
Chief Ryan and Sergeant Wright viewed the video footage in the apartment building. The footage indicated that Schmidt arrived at Stephens apartment at 5:30 a.m. and came out of the apartment around 7:30 a.m. followed by two juvenile females and Stephens. Stephens’ hair appeared to be wet, as though she had just gotten out of the shower, the complaint indicates.
Sergeant Wright requested Stephens to come back into the station to be re-interviewed. On February 17, Chief Ryan and Sergeant Wright interviewed her. Once again, she gave details on the alleged rape. When asked how long Schmidt was at the apartment, she said about 30 minutes. When asked if she showered when Stephens was there, she stated that she had not, according to the complaint.
Stephens was advised that both officers had reviewed the video from the apartment hallways, and that Schmidt was at her residence for approximately two hours. The officers also told her that when Schmidt left the apartment, video footage showed her and the children following him out and that it appeared that her hair was wet. Stephens then recalled getting a shower. Stephens then told the officers that she had made up the accusations against Schmidt for child custody reasons, the complaint continues.
Based on the investigation, Sergeant Wright filed a criminal complaint against Stephens.
She was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller on the following charges:
-False Report – Falsely Incriminate Another, Misdemeanor 2
-Unsworn Falsification to Authorities, Misdemeanor 2
Bail was set at $2,500.00 Unsecured.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. on April 5 with Judge Miller presiding.
Editor’s Note: Graphic details were not included due to the sexual nature of the alleged crime.
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