By By Ben Alexander/The Meridian Star
Feb. 1, 2001
A rape reported Saturday was declared a hoax Wednesday, and police attributed the original complaint to "an ongoing domestic dispute."
Meridian Police Chief Gregg Lewis, who declined to identify any of the parties involved, told reporters in a rare City Hall news conference his investigators found "no evidence" a rape was committed.
Lewis also declined to answer questions about whether the alleged rape victim's husband was an employee of the police department.
Although initial reports indicated a break-in and rape occurred in an affluent neighborhood of north Meridian about 11 p.m. Saturday, MPD would not verify the information. Police had suggested that anyone with information about the incident call CrimeStoppers.
During their investigation, Lewis said investigators found no evidence whatsoever to indicate that any form of sexual assault had taken place.
In recent days the police department has received "a lot" of phone calls from concerned citizens following the alleged attack, he said. Lewis said he wanted to put the public's mind at ease concerning the matter.
Ben Alexander is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at balexander@themeridianstar.com.