Renee Dawn Skoglund, 30, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was taken into custody in Sioux Falls, SD, on Friday, March 10, after wrongfully reporting a sexual battery in Hillsborough County on March 8.
On March 8, 2023, Skoglund contacted Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office 911, reporting that an “unknown” suspect raped her. She advised the dispatcher that the rape occurred alongside Interstate 75, north of College Avenue, in the Ruskin and Apollo Beach area.
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“My vehicle made a noise, so I stopped to get out and check to see because it was like it was something going on with the tires,” she told dispatchers in her call to 911. She said someone pulled up behind her and shoved her into the back of her car.
Investigators learned that Skoglund was visiting from Sioux Falls and was scheduled to return home later that day. After a thorough area search for the suspect, detectives discovered the rope was purchased from Wal-Mart, which led detectives to numerous Walmart locations for further suspect information. Detectives identified Mrs. Skoglund on video eight hours before the reported attack buying the rope.
Investigators worked on a timeline for Ms. Skoglund and recovered video from multiple places Mrs. Skoglund visited in the time surrounding the attack, refuting her initial statements.
“This case is truly disheartening,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.” There are far too many victims faced with this type of trauma. This woman took advantage of our 911 emergency line and diverted attention from actual victims who need the viable resources available in these investigative scenarios.”
After returning to South Dakota, Skoglund reported the attack to the Sioux Falls Police to receive medical services, but she was confronted with the facts of the investigation. She attempted to change her statements before eventually admitting to fabricating the entire incident.
ARREST: A woman has been arrested for a false rape claim. Renee Skoglund, 30, admitted to fabricating her report to #teamHCSO detectives, claiming she was blindfolded and sexually assaulted alongside I-75.
Full story: https://t.co/wnjB5N4WSa pic.twitter.com/jjcP5Lplyz
— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) March 15, 2023
“We are committed to dedicating significant resources to investigating any crime. I’m outraged by this lie, and I hope that anyone who believes it’s okay to falsify a report realizes the severity of their actions,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister.”I’d like to thank the Sioux Falls Police department and the State Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this case.”
Skoglund is currently awaiting extradition back to Florida, where she faces charges of misuse of a 911 system, false report of a crime, and fabricating physical evidence.
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The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office understands the seriousness of sexual assault, and we urge anyone with knowledge of sexual battery to come forward and report it. We will work tirelessly to bring justice to all victims.
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