Woman Fabricates Sexual Assault Incident in City Park: Warrant Issued for Her Arrest

AUGUST 15, 2024

During the early morning of July 11th dispatch received a call that a female, identified as Megan N. Cooper (34), was sexually assaulted, and was bound inside her vehicle located in Wesselman Park. Once officers responded to the scene, they requested an Adult Investigations Detective and a Sexual Violence

Detective. The crime scene was processed, and Cooper was transported to St. Vincent Hospital to have a sexual assault kit completed. At the time, the investigation appeared to be factual. The SV Detective spoke with a friend of Coopers’ that morning who stated a few days prior, he located Cooper tied up in Wesselman Park to a tree. At both times, the same friend was contacted to help locate/rescue Cooper; she did not want the police to be called for the first incident.

On July 12th

, Cooper was interviewed at Holly’s House. During that interview, she stated what occurred leading up to being located by EPD officers. Cooper also stated that similar incidents, like the July 11th incident, have occurred to her recently. Cooper described the encounters in detail, the materials  that were used to bind her during these assaults and the pills and inhalants she was instructed to take during these encounters.

The SV Detective applied for a search warrant for Cooper’s vehicle and cell phone. There were several pieces of information to show that Cooper was being dishonest about her statement. Cooper was also told that there was a possibility that DNA from the suspect could be extracted from her vehicle; Cooper indicated that she didn’t want DNA testing to be done. Business cameras recorded Cooper purchasing, or stealing, the items and materials that she was found to be bound in. Once this information was obtained, detectives also learned that Cooper has been listed as a victim in numerous kidnapping and sexual assault reports across the state of Kentucky; a suspect has never been identified in those cases and Cooper’s statements are vastly similar to the one she gave regarding the incident on July 11th. On July 18th, the SV Detective spoke to Cooper about the Evansville Police Department discrepancies in her statement.

On July 24th, Cooper called the Detective back to issue a new statement: she lied about the events that occurred on July 11

For a large portion of July, Officers, Crime Scene Detectives, Adult Investigative Detectives, Sexual Violence Detectives, outside agencies, and organizations have exerted unremitting time into this investigation that Cooper fabricated. When we investigate crimes, we lean on victim statements, witness statements and evidence to build a case that provides answers and closure for the victim. We never want to discredit a victim’s statement of any crime. Unfortunately, in this case, the victim of Sexual Assault and Kidnapping became the offender of Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony) and False Informing (B Misdemeanor). Our SV Detectives are to be commended for the work they put into this case to apprehend what they initially believed to be a suspect who harmed someone in the early morning hours in a city park. Their tireless work and investigation has led to a warrant being issued for Megan N. Cooper.

EPD Participating in “Cops on a Rooftop”

5/15/2024

This Friday, August 16, 2024, the Evansville Police Department and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the Special Olympics of Indiana’s, Dunkin Donuts “Cop on a Rooftop” event. At this event, Dunkin Donuts partners with local law enforcement and the Special Olympics of Indiana to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics Torch Run and other Special Olympic events.

Several Evansville Police Officers and Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Deputies will be on hand at the Dunkin Donuts location, at 848 S. Green River Rd., this Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. During this statewide fundraiser, hundreds of local law enforcement officers will stake out Dunkin’ rooftops all over the United States to heighten awareness and raise money for the Special Olympics.

Guests who donate to the Special Olympics will receive a free donut coupon. You can make that donation in the drive thru that morning either by cash or the Venmo app. Come see us Friday morning and help us raise more than other agencies participating in the state. We will have Special Olympian athletes with us that morning also. We hope to see you there!