Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Join the Journey

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Allegation of Rape in New Jersey Recanted

Harpers Ferry, W.Va. (May 27,2008) — On May 22, a person who had reported being a victim of an April 16 rape on the A.T. near the New York-New Jersey border recanted the story she had given to the New York State Police. The investigator on the case confirmed there was no basis to the report and no threat to Appalachian Trail hikers.

Hikers are urged, as always, to pay close attention to their surroundings, act on their instincts, and follow safety guidelines. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) reminds hikers to be particularly vigilant in areas with easy access, such as roads. Detailed safety advice can be found on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Web site at www.appalachiantrail.org/safetyawareness.

Background: On May 7, a woman reported she was raped April 16 on the Appalachian Trail near Oil City Road. Several law-enforcement agencies in both New York and New Jersey worked together on the case. A sketch of the purported suspect was made and posted in the immediate area. The incident was shared with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and the New York – New Jersey Trail Conference (NY-NJ TC) on May 20. On May 22, a distribution plan for sharing the information with the A.T. community via the World Wide Web and at hostels and in various communities along the A.T. was finalized by ATC and NY-NJ TC in consultation with the Appalachian Trail National Park Service office and representatives of the Friends of Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuges and the Appalachian Mountain Club local chapter. Information that the woman had recanted the story was received just as information about a still-at-large suspect was about to be broadly disseminated.

Police near Troutville, Va., quickly arrested a suspect in the rape of an A.T. hiker in late April and are proceeding with his prosecution for attacking her after she accepted a ride to the post office there.

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