Runaway Bride Indicted for Making Up Story

Woman Claimed Abduction After Disappearing Days Before Wedding

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (May 25) - Runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks was indicted Wednesday for allegedly filing a false police report claiming she had been kidnapped, charges that could mean up to six years in prison.

A grand jury indicted the 32-year-old woman on one count of making a false police report, a misdemeanor, and one count of false statement, a felony. The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, said Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter. The other count carries a penalty of up to a year.

''We believe this is a reasonable next step in the case. We believe the grand jury made the right decision,'' Porter said.

''At some point you just can't lie to the police,'' he said.

Wilbanks, 32, disappeared from her Duluth home on April 26 after claiming that she was going for a jog.

While Georgia authorities looked for her, the woman traveled to Las Vegas by bus and then to Albuquerque, N.M. There, she called authorities with a story about having been abducted and sexually assaulted.

But under questioning, she recanted and said she fled Georgia because of unspecified personal issues. She returned to Georgia on April 30, the day she was to have been married in a lavish ceremony with 600 guests.

Porter has said Wilbanks could face a misdemeanor charge of filing a false report or a felony charge of making false statements for telling authorities she had been kidnapped. Wilbanks' lawyer has said she doesn't think her client should be charged with a crime.

Her disappearance prompted a massive search and nationwide publicity. City, county and state officials spent about $50,000 looking for her.

Several state and county agencies already said they will not ask her to reimburse them for a total of $10,000 spent in additional search costs. But the city of Duluth still is seeking repayment of about $40,000 and Mayor Shirley Lassetter said her city attorney has been in negotiations with Wilbanks' attorney, Lydia Sartain.

Sartain has said she does not think Wilbanks committed a crime in Gwinnett County. Authorities in Albuquerque have already said they will not charge Wilbanks.

''The citizens of the county will be ill-served by an attempted prosecution,'' Sartain said.

Sartain did not immediately return a phone call or e-mail seeking comment on Wednesday.

:clap

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL

LOL

If she'll flee halfway across the country to avoid a wedding, imagine what she'll do to try to avoid charges.

Throw the book at her!

I know I'll sleep safer at night knowing there's one less flighty indecisive chick roaming the streets...

;)

Tsk tsk. I remember reading about this. She fled her future-husband, that's what she did. :lol:

Well I'm glad she got she got what she deserves! :lol:

If you through the country into a nervous search, waste tax money, give your fiancé a conniption fit and lie to the FBI, then jail is the logical next step.

Good.

Bitch deserves it. If they didn't press charges, then people would be doing this all over and getting away with it. Poor little rich girl. I'm crying for ya. :rolleyes:

I understand that when she was told that she would be indited, her eyes bugged out of her head.......oh sorry - that was her usual look.

And as Leno said, what's with the statement, "At some point, you just can't lie to police." - what - like you CAN to a certain point, but after that its not good?! * shakes head *

Her bugged eyed expression alone is a felony

Runaway Bride Sentenced to Probation

Wilbanks Weeps in Court as She Apologizies for Actions

Jennifer Wilbanks apologized during a tearful court appearance on Thursday.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) - With her once-jilted fiance at her side, runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks pleaded no contest Thursday to a felony charge and wept as she was sentenced to probation, community service and a fine.

''I'm truly sorry for my actions and I just want to thank Gwinnett County and the city of Duluth,'' a crying Wilbanks told the judge as she pleaded to a charge of making a false statement.

She was sentenced to two years of probation and 120 hours of community service. The judge also ordered her to continue mental health treatment and pay the sheriff's office $2,550.

If she successfully completes her probation, the felony will be erased from her record, Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said.

Wilbanks, whose disappearance before her wedding in April created a nationwide sensation, was wearing a black outfit and running shoes as she arrived at the Gwinnett County courthouse Thursday to make her plea. Her fiance John Mason, whom she was to have married April 30 in a lavish ceremony, was by her side.

Wilbanks was indicted last week on charges of making a false statement and making a false police report. She could have faced up to six years in prison and $11,000 in fines if convicted of both charges. The misdemeanor false report charge was dropped as part of her plea deal.

Wilbanks also could also have been ordered to reimburse authorities for the cost of the search, which has been tallied at more than $50,000. She's already agreed to pay part of the tab: On Tuesday, she said she would pay $13,250 to the city of Duluth, Ga., to help offset the overtime costs the city incurred searching for her.

''She's done everything that we would ask of her,'' Wilbanks' attorney, Lydia Sartain, said Thursday morning before sentencing. ''She has accepted responsibility.''

Wilbanks, a nurse, disappeared from her Duluth home on April 26, four days before she was to have been married at a high-profile ceremony with 600 guests and 28 attendants. She took a bus to Las Vegas and then Albuquerque, N.M.

She initially claimed she was abducted and sexually assaulted, but later recanted and said she fled because of unspecified personal issues days before the wedding. The false statement charge under which she was sentenced stemmed from a phone call she made relaying the abduction and assault allegations from New Mexico to Georgia.

Family members say she has been receiving psychiatric treatment at an unspecified facility.

I'm gald she's being held responsible. I thought for sure all of these different support groups would be lining up saying how she was mistreated as a child and shouldn't be held responsible for her actions. :rolleyes:

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050602/050602_wilbanks_hmed_8a.hmedium.jpg

Jennifer Wilbanks, left, leaves the courthouse where she pleaded no contest to making a false statement. With her is her attorney, Lydia Sartain.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - With her once-jilted fiance at her side, runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks pleaded no contest Thursday to a felony charge and was sentenced to probation, community service and a fine.


“I’m truly sorry for my actions and I just want to thank Gwinnett County and the city of Duluth,” a crying Wilbanks told the judge.

The Associated Press initially incorrectly reported that she had pleaded not guilty.

The felony charge of making a false statement carried a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

But the judge sentenced Wilbanks to two years of probation and 120 hours of community service. He also ordered her to continue mental health treatment and pay the sheriff’s office $2,550.

Felony could be erased

If she successfully completes her probation, the felony will be erased from her record, Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter said.




• Wilbanks pleads no contest

June 2: "Runaway bride" Jennifer Wilbanks told a court she was sorry for fabricating a story about being abducted. She was given probation and ordered to do community service and pay a fine.

MSNBC

Wilbanks was accused of telling police a false story about being kidnapped and sexually assaulted. She was indicted last week on charges of making a false statement and making a false police report. The misdemeanor false report charge was dropped as part of a deal that led to her plead no contest.

She could have faced up to six years in prison if convicted of both charges, as well as $11,000 in fines. She could also have been ordered to reimburse authorities for more of the search cost, which has been tallied at more than $50,000.

Wilbanks, a nurse, disappeared from her Duluth home on April 26 and took a bus to Las Vegas and then Albuquerque, N.M. She and Mason were to have been married in a lavish ceremony April 30.


She initially claimed she was abducted but later recanted and said she fled because of unspecified personal issues days before the high-profile wedding.

Family members have said she has been receiving psychiatric treatment at an unspecified facility.

On Tuesday, Wilbanks agreed to pay $13,250 to the city of Duluth, Ga., to help pay for the overtime costs the city incurred searching for her.

“She’s done everything that we would ask of her,” Wilbanks’ attorney Lydia Sartain, said Thursday morning before sentencing. “She has accepted responsibility.”

God she seems like such a baby!! Teddy bears from the cops and now holding onto her attorney's arm???


Some idiot guy tried pulling the same thing up here (in Brampton) last week. He took off just before his wedding for a couple of days and is being charged with mischief since they were starting to organize search parties.

What's with all the drama with cold feet these days - just say yes or no - you do or you don't and be an adult about it! :rolleyes:

I think they went to light on her. She deserves the book thrown at her.

I think anyone has the right to leave town for whatever reason they want and not tell anyone. It should not be a crime. When she made the call and claimed she was kidnapped that was a crime. She may be a bad person for running out and not telling anyone, but why should that be a criminal offense?

By the way, her eyes look fine in that photo.

I think anyone has the right to leave town for whatever reason they want and not tell anyone. It should not be a crime. When she made the call and claimed she was kidnapped that was a crime. She may be a bad person for running out and not telling anyone, but why should that be a criminal offense?

By the way, her eyes look fine in that photo.

Because thousands of people were looking for her... afraid she had been kidnapped or worse, raped and murdered by some predator? This was a local story here. The police focused all their attention on her *** when they could have been focusing on someone in real danger.

Probation is not enough either. :mad:

I think even taking off without telling anyone on purpose is considered a crime because their loved ones are obviously going to contact police and file a missing persons report, therefore starting a search which costs taxpayer's money.

That's why this Brampton guy got charged with mischief at least - he didn't claim he was kidnapped, but it still prompted a police investigation.

What does she think court is??? Training to run away again? :lol:

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/ap/20050602/capt.garf10306021502.runaway_bride_garf103.jpg

As soon as it hit the news she should have said something. It was national so she had no excuse.

She may be a bad person for running out and not telling anyone, but why should that be a criminal offense?
That wasn't her criminal offense. Filing false police reports were the charges.

That wasn't her criminal offense. Filing false police reports were the charges.

That I agree with. But the tone of the posts in here was that she should be put in jail for leaving town without telling anyone. I realize that there was a big search for her, but I don't think that was a crime on her part. Basically I don't view this as a police state - so if she wants to skip town without telling anyone, so be it. I don't think it is safe to assume she knew this would turn into a national saga.

As soon as it hit the news she should have said something. It was national so she had no excuse.

Did she know that it was on the news? I am not sure if that came out or not.

That I agree with. But the tone of the posts in here was that she should be put in jail for leaving town without telling anyone. I realize that there was a big search for her, but I don't think that was a crime on her part. Basically I don't view this as a police state - so if she wants to skip town without telling anyone, so be it. I don't think it is safe to assume she knew this would turn into a national saga.
I think that's an extremely safe assumption. A woman from an affluent family goes out jogging days before her wedding and disappears...that's huge news.
I think her punishment fit her crime. Probation, community service and restitution (partial anyway) for her search costs.

Did she know that it was on the news? I am not sure if that came out or not.
Ii don't know but she would have to be really isolated not to see it. Everytime I turned on the TV they were talking about her.

blah... i'm tired of hearing about her

She said she was sorry and she is going to pay the city of Duluth, Georgia the required money. She is also
on probation so it is not as though she is getting away with it. Why don't some of you lay off of her?

Oh joy... :rolleyes: I thought you'd be on the side of the police here. :lol:

Oh joy... :rolleyes: I thought you'd be on the side of the police here. :lol:


No - no - you have to keep up with the rules here Brent! He basically takes the opposite side of the majority at all times. Since we're mainly on the side of the police in this case, it's safe to assume web is going to the other side! ;)

I think it's Rule #29, in Chapter 12, subsection (Aiii).

Wilbanks, whose disappearance before her wedding in April created a nationwide sensation, was wearing a black outfit and running shoes

That alone should have cost her more money and time. Who wears that to a court appearance??

That alone should have cost her more money and time. Who wears that to a court appearance??
:lol: Oh God, the witty minds on this site. That reminds me of something from years ago. My husband and I were in the car. We were at a stoplight. This total goof is crossing the street in front of our car. He was wearing this insane wool crazy colored hat...with those ball type things on top of it. I think it tied under his chin too. My husband said, "I should run him over just for wearing that hat."

That was probably 10 years ago, and I haven't thought of it since. Thanks for dislodging the memory.

That alone should have cost her more money and time. Who wears that to a court appearance??


I agree! That's a definitely Fashion Faux Pas and a citation should be issued.

'Course Jackson wore his jammies to his court appearance. I was just surprised he didn't complete the outfit with one of his armbands on the PJ shirt!



I had a rather large girlfriend who wore red and white striped pants to work one day. And they were WIDE stripes with wide legs. Honestly - it looked like the circus was in town! :rolleyes:

He sounds like he has a great sense of humor.


He cohabitates with Janice doesn't he?! :lol: I kid - I kid

(Man, I'm pushing it today......it must be Friday)!

Runaway Bride in court in running shoes - that is classic

Runaway Bride in court in running shoes - that is classic


:rofl: Next thing ya know, Nike will be wanting to pick her up as their new spokesperson!!

She could do a whole series - Bride On The Run (white), then Convict On The Run (orange), Then Spinster On The Run (grey)!!

:lol: Oh God, the witty minds on this site. That reminds me of something from years ago. My husband and I were in the car. We were at a stoplight. This total goof is crossing the street in front of our car. He was wearing this insane wool crazy colored hat...with those ball type things on top of it. I think it tied under his chin too. My husband said, "I should run him over just for wearing that hat."

That was probably 10 years ago, and I haven't thought of it since. Thanks for dislodging the memory.

:lol:

I agree! That's a definitely Fashion Faux Pas and a citation should be issued.

'Course Jackson wore his jammies to his court appearance. I was just surprised he didn't complete the outfit with one of his armbands on the PJ shirt!


I had a rather large girlfriend who wore red and white striped pants to work one day. And they were WIDE stripes with wide legs. Honestly - it looked like the circus was in town! :rolleyes:

:rotflmao: