May 26, 2005

FALSE ACCUSERS ARRESTED

San Antonio, Texas: District Attorney Susan D. Reed announced today that charges have been filed against two individuals who allegedly made false sexual assault allegations.

Marci Bennett, age 39, is accused of making false allegations against San Antonio Police Department Assistant Police Chief Jerry Pittman. Bennett is charged with falsely accusing Pittman of sexual assault she claimed to have occurred on February 6, 2005. Bennett allegedly provided false sworn statements to police detectives as well as made a false police report to an initial responding police officer. An intensive investigation ultimately revealed that the accusations against Pittman were false. Eyewitnesses and physical evidence established Pittman’s innocence.

The second case stems from a report made to the San Antonio Police Department allegedly made by Anastashia Castoreno, age 18, wherein she claimed that a known male attempted to sexually assault her in her home. The police investigation revealed that Castoreno made up the false charge when Castoreno’s cousin discovered the male as he was leaving her home. Castoreno was engaged to marry someone else at the time and it is alleged she made up the false sexual assault allegation in an attempt to in prevent her family from discovering her relationship with the other man. The false allegation caused police to handcuff, detain and transport the man to the police station for questioning. He was later released when it was determined he was innocent.

Bennett is charged with Perjury, a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and up to a $4000 fine and False Report to a Police Office, a Class B misdemeanor, punishable up to six months in jail and a $2000 fine. She was arrested on these charges this morning. Castoreno is charged with False Report to a Police Office, a class B misdemeanor. Castoreno was arrested on May 24, 2005 and was released on bond.

For more information, contact Cliff Herberg, Chief, White Collar Crime Division, at 335-2404.