Victim lied about identity of man who attacked her, led officers on chase, Hanahan Police say

A Hanahan woman is accused of lying to police about a man who attacked her Monday before leading officers on a chase through the area.

On Thursday, Hanahan police charged Evette Monique Nelson, 27, with obstruction of justice and two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, Lt. Michael Fowler said.

Nelson was the victim in a domestic violence assault on Monday, which resulted in police chasing her alleged attacker in a vehicle pursuit, Fowler said.

During the preliminary investigation, Nelson identified Barry Jerod Stanley, 25, as the man who assaulted her, took her car, and led police on the chase, Fowler said. Warrants were obtained based on her statements.

On Tuesday, Nelson told investigators that she lied about the identity of her attacker, Fowler said. She told police that Stanley was an old boyfriend and that she wanted him to get in trouble, he said.

She provided police with the name of another man and provided other information in a signed, sworn statement. A correction was sent to the media, and some outlets broadcast the name and photo of the new suspect, Fowler said.

That man saw his information on the news and turned himself in to the Charleston Police Department, professing his innocence. He was interviewed by investigators who determined he had no connection to the earlier crime, Fowler said.

Police contend that Nelson knowingly intended to lead suspicion away from Stanley.

A search warrant resulted in the detection of crack cocaine in the microwave of the home Nelson shares with her two young children, Fowler said.

Nelson is currently in the Berkeley County Detention Center awaiting a bail hearing.

Hanahan police are again looking for Stanley on the charges of criminal domestic violence, trafficking in cocaine base, aggravated assault, failure to stop for blue lights and siren and two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, Fowler said.

Reach Glenn Smith at 937-5556 or Twitter.com/glennsmith5.