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Summerfield woman arrested, accused of false report of abduction, rape

mcsologo

The Marion County Sheriff's Office has arrested a woman who claimed to be abducted, charging her with the misdemeanor offense of filing a false report.

The sheriff says she was trying to defraud the visa process meant to protect undocumented immigrants who are victims of crime and cooperate with police.

In early March, a motorist found the 51-year-old Summerfield woman lying naked on the side of County Road 314.

Speaking only Spanish, the woman -- an undocument immigrant from Mexico -- told investigators she had been abducted by a masked man, hit, dragged into a vehicle and forced to drink something.

But detectives say her story fell apart.

They say her phone records show calls at the time, including one with a man she had been dating.

Then, detectives say she admitted there was no kidnapping but accused the man of raping her.

They don't believe it. They believe his account: that she set the whole thing up to pursue a so-called "U visa."

It allows victims of certain crimes who assist police to remain and work temporarily in the U-S and seek permanent status. The visa requires certification from a law enforcement official.

Joe Byrnes came to Central Florida Public Media from the Ocala Star-Banner and The Gainesville Sun, where he worked as a reporter and editor for several years. Joe graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans and turned to journalism after teaching. He enjoys freshwater fishing and family gatherings.