Woman Charged After Making False Rape Claim: Hillsborough Sheriff

TAMPA, FL — A South Dakota woman is facing multiple charges in Hillsborough County after authorities said she falsely reported that she was raped and fabricated evidence to support her claim.

Renee Dawn Skoglund, 30, was arrested in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Friday after making the report two days earlier in Hillsborough County, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

According to authorities, Skoglund contacted the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and told them an "unknown suspect" sexually battered her. She told authorities the incident occurred on Interstate 75 in the Ruskin and Apollo Beach areas.

Authorities said Skoglund also claimed she was blindfolded and bound by a rope inside her rental car after stopping on the side of the road due to a warning light.

While searching for a possible suspect, authorities said they discovered the rope reportedly used during the attack was for sale at Walmart. A review of surveillance video showed Skoglund purchasing the rope eight hours before the reported attack, authorities said.

Authorities said detectives also recovered video showing Skoglund visiting other places during the time of the reported attack.

During their investigation, authorities learned Skoglund was visiting from Sioux Falls. When Skoglund returned home, authorities said she tried reporting the assault to the Sioux Falls Police Department, but she was confronted with the evidence gathered by detectives during the investigation.

Though Skoglund tried to change her statements, authorities said she eventually admitted to making up the attack.

Skoglund is awaiting extradition back to Florida, where she faces charges of misuse of a 911 system, false report of a crime, and fabricating physical evidence.