PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. — A former Prince George County teacher was convicted Monday in connection with a fabricated sexual assault claim. Alisha Ferrell was sentenced to 12 months behind bars, which was suspended.
Ferrell claimed in 2024 that she had been abducted and raped in a trailer park while on her way to visit a student.
She said she got out of her car and a Hispanic male forced her into a van after grabbing her by the shoulders. She told police he sat on her stomach, zip tied her hands together and sexually assaulted her.
A co-worker she called for help found her covered in blood in Scott Park and called 911.
However, the Commonwealth said she made it all up. Prosecutors say the blood was fake "Halloween blood" and she picked the bogus crime location because it was a "rough area."
The Commonwealth said her story changed over several days, shifting from being assaulted in Chesterfield to being assaulted by a husband she never had.
Investigators say Ferrell admitted she staged the crime for "attention" and due to being "lonely."
The prosecutor said resources were wasted, she violated public trust and could have made things harder for sexual assault survivors.
Investigators said they interviewed more than 40 individuals, many fitting the description Ferrell provided of the fictitious suspect.
The Commonwealth acknowledged Ferrell completed court-ordered therapy, community service and paid restitution of nearly $3,000, which they say only covered the overtime hours involved in the investigation.
Commonwealth's Attorney Susan Fierro said the case still "has the same amount of shock" as it did in 2024 and called it an "elaborate scheme." She said in all of her years doing this job she's "shocked by these facts."
The defense argued that Ferrell complied with everything the court had ordered as part of a plea agreement last year and asked for the charge to be dismissed.
Ferrell told the judge, "I'm just so sorry. I'm just very remorseful."
Ferrell does not have an active teaching license with the Virginia Department of Education. She surrendered it one year ago.
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