Hunterdon County man accused of making false sex assault claim against state troopers faces new charge
A grand jury added the additional charge against 36-year-old Randal Kelco on Thursday. Authorities say it is for a second alleged false report he made about a municipal police officer last year.
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A Hunterdon County man accused of making a false sexual assault allegation against state troopers is facing a new charge in a superseding indictment.
A grand jury added the additional charge against 36-year-old Randal Kelco on Thursday. Authorities say it is for a second alleged false report he made about a municipal police officer last year.
Kelco and 46-year-old Lisa DeStefano were previously indicted for making a false sexual assault claim against several troopers who responded to a domestic dispute at their shared Bloomsbury residence in 2023.
The pair were charged with making false reports to law enforcement authorities, falsely incriminating another person and conspiracy to commit the crime of false reports to law enforcement.
The superseding indictment adds a third count of making false reports to law enforcement authorities and falsely incriminating another person against Kelco.
“One of the defendants invented yet another baseless, disturbing story about a police officer,” said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. “Fabricated allegations of sexual assault constitute an injustice and a disservice to not only law enforcement but also to real victims. We will stand up for all officers and troopers when they are falsely accused, and those who make meritless claims in bad faith will be held to account.”
Davenport’s office says second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
