WARREN, Pa. — A Fredonia, N.Y., woman received a probation sentence for fabricating a rape allegation in order to cover up an affair.

Stephanie A. Kicak, 21, was sentenced by President Judge Maureen Skerda on Friday.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Kicak reported to City of Warren police in Jun 2020 that she was raped at Point Park while in town visiting her mother.

Kicak, per the affidavit, told police that she went for a walk and “ended up at the Warren Recreational Pool and was going to sit down at the pavilion located in the parking lot.” She allegedly told police a male was in the pavilion that she did not see because it was dark.

“The unknown male,” police detail, “produced a knife and ordered her to walk into the wooded area behind the pavilion” and “pushed her to the ground and took her pants and underwear off” prior to the alleged assault, which Kicak said per police “didn’t last long, because the suspect got distracted and he left.”

Police say Kicak provided a description of the male and police arranged with the FBI to have a composite sketch completed as well as a rape kit which was sent to the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab.

Police undertook further investigation and “obtained some leads on an alleged suspect.” That subject was identified and that person’s image matched the composite sketch from the FBI. The possible suspect’s DNA was also discovered as a result of the rape kit submitted to the crime lab.

That individual was called in for an interview and “denied the sexual contact was nonconsensual” and provided Facebook messages as evidence.

Kicak eventually told police in an interview that she had lied about the allegation.

A source told the Times Observer that Kicak fabricated the rape allegation to cover an affair she had with the person police identified as the suspect. Her attorney, Public Defender Francis Waweru, told the court his client understood what she did was wrong and highlighted that she has experienced mental health issues.

District Attorney Rob Greene called the case “extremely disturbing” and said the man accused could have spent years in state prison.

He cited a comment from the Times Observer Facebook page that suggested Kicak should serve the same time as the man accused would have for rape.

“It’s beyond the pale to accuse someone,” Greene said of a crime this serious. “All because Ms. Kicak, didn’t want to be caught cheating,” he suggested.

He suggested her mental health issues don’t excuse the behavior and asked for a sentence in the aggravated range.

Kicak said she was sorry for everything and to everyone.

Skerda called it a “very serious crime” but noted her lack of a prior record and mental health issues before sentencing her to one year probation, $250 in fines and fees, compliance with mental health treatment and 40 hours of community service.