A Pennsylvania metropolis employee was accused Monday of staging a faux “hate crime” after she allegedly planted a noose at her personal desk, in accordance with police.
Allentown Metropolis Corridor worker LaTarsha Brown was charged with a pair of felony counts after DNA pulled from the noose solely belonged to her, authorities mentioned — although one in every of her friends claims she’s harmless.
Brown initially mentioned she made the surprising discovery at her desk on Jan. 10 when she arrived for work — resulting in an investigation and a neighborhood protest.
Allentown Metropolis Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach mentioned on the time she was “irate” and “angry” over what she referred to as a “hate crime,” the Morning Name reported on the time.
In the course of the investigation, each worker who may have positioned the noose on the desk was requested to submit their DNA, Capt. Steve Milkovits mentioned.
“Every employee agreed, except for Ms. Brown,” he mentioned throughout a press convention streamed by Fox 29. “Initially cooperative, Ms. Brown requested that the investigation be discontinued.”
Brown’s DNA was lastly obtained through a courtroom order later in January and it matched up with DNA discovered on the inside knotted portion and outer floor of the noose, he mentioned.
She additionally allegedly made “vague statements and gave deceptive answers” to police throughout the investigation, in accordance with an affidavit obtained by the Morning Name.
Brown faces misdemeanor expenses of creating a false report and tampering with proof.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk referred to as the costs “shocking.”
“It’s doubly shocking that an employee would — that she would have fabricated this incident,” Tuerk informed the information outlet.
Police declined to clarify what Brown’s doable motive may have been.
Brown can be on the Allentown Faculty District college board.
A good friend of hers informed CBS Philadelphia the felony case in opposition to the town worker was “retaliation” and that Brown had admitted to touching the noose.
“This is not just an attack on LaTarsha. This is a warning to anyone in Allentown who dares to stand up against injustice. This is a smear campaign. This is retaliation,” neighborhood organizer Josie Lopez said.
“But let me be clear: LaTarsha Brown is innocent. LaTarsha Brown deserves justice.”
“I am calling on the people of Allentown, the media, and everyone who believes in justice to stand with LaTarsha,” she added. “We will not be silent.”
