14 DAY TRIAL // A college blogger at University of Wyoming has been arrested for staging a rape threat on Facebook in order to speak about it at a public rally.
Journalist and radio host Meg Lanker-Simons allegedly signed the post as a “Republican,” writing a message directed at herself.
According to KOWB 1290, the alleged sender was portrayed as a stalker going after Lanker-Simons, with the intent to rape her.
The incident, which was registered on the now taken down UW Crushes Facebook page, was used as pretense to start an anti-rape rally.
Amy Pauli, organizing the protest, told reporters that the rape comments made towards the online commentator started the demonstrations. However, they mention other incidents of this type going on at UW.
“This episode has sparked an important discussion reaffirming that the UW community has no tolerance for” rape or violence.
“The fact that the Facebook post apparently was a fabrication does not change the necessity for continued vigilance in assuring that we have a campus where everyone feels safe,” UW spokesman Chad Baldwin says.
After digging for the culprit, the police found out that Lanker-Simons wrote the message herself, from her computer.
“The citation followed a police interview of Lanker-Simons and a search of her computer equipment pursuant to a search warrant.
“UW police obtained substantial evidence verifying that the offending Facebook post came from Lanker-Simons’ computer, while the computer was in her possession,” the UW STOP Violence Program Coordinator explains.
When she was arrested for interference with a police investigation, the blogger confessed to sending in the angry message herself. However, she now plans to plead not guilty to the charges.
“Subject admitted to making a controversial post on UW Crushes webpage and then lied about not doing it,” UW police are saying.
“It’s important that this event does not undermine the progress that has been made in this area,” Baldwin adds.