Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Couple Charged With Fabricating Police Report
A Lawrenceburg couple was arrested on Monday after one reportedly admitted they had fabricated an entire scenario in order to file a police report.
Brett Shannon Cotton, age 33, and Hollie Leanne Cody, age 33, both of 405 Oak Street, Lawrenceburg, were taken into custody shortly after filing an armed robbery report with deputies from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies were dispatched to a low water bridge on Mt. Ararat Road shortly before 7:00 p.m. to speak with the couple. When they arrived, they report that Cody was sitting on the bridge while Cotton was standing beside her.
They reported that while at the creek two men had stopped and pulled out a black semi-automatic pistol, taking $400 from Cotton’s wallet.
They said that they then walked them to their car where they stole $325 from Cody. They reported that they had planned to use the money to pay past-due rent and car payments.
The pair offered very detailed descriptions of their assailants as well as their vehicle. They told deputies that the men had left in what they believed to be a white Chevy Avalanche, heading north on South Mt. Ararat Road.
They told deputies that they were so distraught over the incident that they were both going home and would be staying in throughout the remainder of the evening. Deputies noted that both appeared eager to obtain a copy of the police report.
Deputies report that when they left the bridge area they passed a residence outside of which a vehicle “exactly” matching the description given by Cody and Cotton was parked.
They spoke with the residents who informed them that they had been the only ones driving the vehicle. They reported that they had crossed the low water bridge earlier, but that they had not made contact with anyone.
Although deputies made attempts to locate Cody and Cotton at their home, they were unable to do so. They report locating them a short time later at a drug store where they were having a prescription refilled.
Deputies initially spoke with Cotton at his car. When they questioned him about the report, he allegedly told them that, “They had made the whole thing up.” He reportedly apologized to deputies for wasting their time.
Deputies confronted Cody when she exited the business, but they report that she denied any wrongdoing. They said she steadfastly maintained that the crime had taken place, then invoked her Miranda rights.
