HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ — A state grand jury has returned a superseding indictment against a Hunterdon County couple accused of making false allegations against the New Jersey State Police, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said.
The panel handed down the new indictment on Thursday, adding a charge against one of the defendants in connection with a second alleged false report, made last year to the Warren County Prosecutor's Office against a municipal police officer.
Randal Kelco, 36, and Lisa DeStefano, 46, both of Bloomsbury, were previously indicted in connection with allegations that they falsely accused New Jersey State Police troopers of sexually assaulting Kelco when troopers responded to a call for service at their residence. The pair were indicted on two counts related to that incident: second-degree making false reports to law enforcement authorities — falsely incriminating another person, and second-degree conspiracy to commit the crime of false reports to law enforcement.
The superseding indictment adds a third count against Kelco — second-degree making false reports to law enforcement authorities, falsely incriminating another person — based on his allegedly false allegation of sexual assault by a Washington Township police officer.
"As this investigation progressed, OPIA became aware of an additional instance in which, as alleged, one of the defendants invented yet another baseless, disturbing story about a police officer," Davenport said in a statement.
"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."
In December 2025, the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability announced a criminal complaint against Kelco and DeStefano in connection with claims made against a group of New Jersey State Police troopers who responded to a domestic dispute at the couple's Bloomsbury residence in October 2023.
After that complaint was filed, OPIA learned of and investigated Kelco's additional allegations against a Washington Township police officer in March 2025, leading to the superseding indictment.
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
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