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A city employee in Allentown, Pennsylvania has been taken into custody after allegedly fabricating a report of discovering a noose at her workplace.
In a press conference held on Monday, the Allentown Police Department informed the public about the arrest of LaTarsha Brown, who reported finding a noose on her desk when she arrived at City Hall on January 10.
The report prompted an extensive criminal investigation aimed at uncovering the individual responsible for placing the noose.
Law enforcement officials analyzed video surveillance and access records to pinpoint employees present on the third floor of City Hall during the timeframe between the end of Brown’s workday on January 9 and her arrival the following morning.
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During the investigation, every employee on the floor was interviewed, and all but Brown were willing to provide buccal swabs for potential DNA analysis. Brown’s initial cooperation waned, leading her to request the cessation of the investigation.
Following this, police secured a search warrant to collect Brown’s DNA sample, and the noose was sent to the Pennsylvania State Police crime lab for testing.
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The forensic analysis revealed that Brown’s DNA matched the DNA found on the noose. Investigators stated, “No other person’s DNA profile was found on the evidentiary items involved in this investigation.”
Consequently, Brown has been charged with crimes relating to the incident, including tampering with or fabricating evidence as well as submitting false reports to law enforcement.
Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca refrained from commenting on the status of Brown’s employment, mentioning she remains employed by the city as of now.
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In response to the situation, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk expressed the seriousness of the matter, emphasizing the impact it has on employees committed to serving the community. He stated, “We’re praying for peace for all affected,” and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of local law enforcement and federal agencies in conducting a thorough investigation.
Brown is set to appear for a preliminary court hearing scheduled for April 22.
This incident draws parallels to the controversial case of actor Jussie Smollett, who claimed to be the victim of a hate crime in Chicago in January 2019. Smollett faced legal repercussions after an investigation found discrepancies in his claims, ultimately leading to his conviction for orchestrating a false attack. Notably, his conviction was recently overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court.
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