BELFAST — A Belfast woman has been charged with filing a false public alarm or report, after admitting lying to authorities about an alleged sexual assault.

Sabrina Bowden, 20, filed the report June 17, stating she had been sexually assaulted by an 18-year-old acquaintance.

The claim was investigated by Detective Gerald Lincoln, of the Belfast Police Department.

Lincoln had difficulty corroborating Bowden’s version of events, according to police.

When asked about the discrepancies Bowden first said she didn’t remember, but later acknowledged she was aware the initial story she told law enforcement was inaccurate, Lincoln said.

Bowden was also charged with furnishing liquor to a minor as a result of giving the man alcohol the night of the incident.

The man Bowden accused has not been charged with any crimes.

Lincoln said that when serious accusations like sexual assault are leveled, law enforcement gets both sides of the story before attempting to corroborate each version.

“Usually one side or the other is easily confirmed,” he said.

Which version is confirmed determines what comes next, and in this case it was determined that Bowden was the one to have committed a crime.

Lincoln said that the allegations were very serious, with the potential to alter the rest of the accused’s life.

“We always take [allegations] seriously, but we want to make sure when someone is accused the evidence is there to support it,” he said.

Lincoln has since consulted with the Waldo County District Attorney’s Office, who agreed that the charges were appropriate.

Bowden is scheduled to make her first court appearance Aug. 1.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com