USF Student Lied About Robbery: Cops

TAMPA, FL — One of four University of South Florida students who reported receiving threats in their residence hall rooms on Election Day now faces unrelated criminal charges. According to the USF Police Department, the girl made up a story about being robbed on campus.

The arrest of Fatou Gueye, 19, on charges related to falsely reporting a crime was announced Thursday morning by USF police.

The incident that led to her arrest unfolded around 9:15 p.m. Nov. 15 when police received a report about a strong-armed robbery. Gueye told officers she was walking in the area of the Interdisciplinary Science Building and was approached by two white men in their 20s. Gueye told police the men began talking to her and then took her backpack. Her necklace, she said, fell to the ground as a result of the physical contact, an email from police said.

Officers recovered Gueye’s property at the scene.

During a follow-up interview with Gueye on Wednesday, police say she “admitted that she falsely reported the crime and no robbery occurred.”

Police say Gueye is one of four students who reported receiving threats in their dorm rooms during the Nov. 8 election.

“The investigation into that incident continues,” the email noted.

Gueye was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail Wednesday. She was released in lieu of $500 bond Thursday morning, jail records indicate.

Booking photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Jail