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Inset: Autumn Tomlin (Glasgow Police Department). Background: The Kentucky Walmart where police say Tomlin lied about being sexually assaulted (Google Maps).
An 18-year-old woman from Kentucky finds herself facing serious charges after allegedly fabricating a story about being sexually assaulted in a Walmart restroom earlier this month. Authorities have identified the woman as Autumn L. Tomlin, who was arrested on Tuesday and now faces a felony charge for filing a false police report, officials confirmed.
The Glasgow Police Department emphasized the importance of handling such allegations with the utmost seriousness and thorough investigation to protect both the integrity of the inquiry and public safety. “While most reports of sexual assault are genuine and involve authentic victims, false claims can harm other victims who wish to report their experiences and erode public trust by misallocating essential emergency resources,” the department stated.
According to a news release, officers responded to a reported sexual assault on February 4 at the Walmart Supercenter located on the 2300 block of Happy Valley Road. The incident was said to have occurred in a restroom within the store. Alongside patrol officers, detectives from the department’s Criminal Investigations Unit promptly began an in-depth probe into the allegations.
The department pursued the case with the gravity such accusations warrant. However, as their investigation unfolded, police gathered both digital and physical evidence that contradicted Tomlin’s account. Investigators have not disclosed further specifics concerning her allegedly fraudulent claims.
However, as the investigation progressed, police said they obtained digital and physical evidence that “refuted the legitimacy” of Tomlin’s claims. Investigators did not release any additional details of Tomlin’s supposedly false claims.
Police further urged the public to “exercise caution” regarding rumors and speculation being circulated on social media.
“Inaccurate information can cause unwarranted fear, public outrage, and unfairly discredit the professionalism and training of responding officers who are following the protocols in place to investigate allegations in their totality,” the release said.
Tomlin was transported and processed at the Hart County Jail on Tuesday and released on Wednesday, according to the county sheriff’s office website. She is currently scheduled to appear in court for her arraignment on March 16, per court records.