Student Faces Jail Time For Falsely Reporting Rape Charges: Report

FAIRFIELD, CT — The former Sacred Heart University student accused of falsely reporting being raped by two former football players at the school faces two years in prison in a plea deal offered by the prosecution, according to the Connecticut Post. Nikki Yovino, 19, of South Setauket, Long Island, was arrested in February after Bridgeport Police say she recanted her original story, which alleged that the two men raped her in a basement bathroom at a house party on Lakeside Drive in Bridgeport on Oct. 14.

Yovino, who was 18 at the time, was charged with second-degree filing a false report and tampering with evidence. The Post reports that Yovino appeared shocked during Thursday’s court hearing when she learned that the prosecution wants her to serve time in prison.

The prosecution is also offering three years’ probation following the prison term, and the judge continued the case to June 26 for Yovino’s decision, according to the Post.

Yovino initially reported to Bridgeport Police that she was sexually assaulted by a Sacred Heart University football player and another man who was a former student.

Police say they conducted a thorough investigation and met several times with Sacred Heart administrators.

"Initial statements from witnesses and evidence recovered from the scene suggested that a sexual assault had occurred," Bridgeport Police said in a press release following the arrest. "As the investigation continued, the case detective received more information that contradicted Yovino's statements to police. This information included new witness accounts, text messages and cell phone video. Yovino was confronted with this evidence, and admitted that she, in fact, did have consensual sex with both males."

Read more about Thursday’s court appearance at the Connecticut Post here.

Photo via the Bridgeport Police Department