EDA Director Jennifer McDonald charged with filing false police report

FRONT ROYAL – Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Director Jennifer R. McDonald has been charged by Virginia State Police with a Class 1 misdemeanor for knowingly giving a false report as to the commission of a crime to a law enforcement official with the intent to mislead, according to a criminal complaint filed in Warren County General District Court.

The complaint was filed by VSP Special Agent E.D. Deel on Wednesday, June 13, and is related to a breaking and entering at the EDA office on Kendrick Lane, in Front Royal, which was first reported by Royal Examiner.

Jennifer McDonald, EDA Director

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The complaint states, “On May 18, 2017 Front Royal Police Department investigated a breaking and entering at the Economic Development Authority. An interview was conducted on June 16, 2017 at approximately 3 p.m. During the interview information came forward that Jennifer McDonald had made statements to the person on June 15, 2017 at approximately 3-4 p.m.

“The statement McDonald made was that a stone was thrown into her front door and a note was left behind. Details of the note were given, to include phone numbers. This information is important, because on June 15, 2017, at approximately 21:02 (9:02 p.m.) a call from Jennifer McDonald came into Warren County 911 Center.

“Jennifer McDonald advised that a loud noise happened at her home. She was in the basement. Warren County Sheriff’s Office investigated this incident. It was discovered at this scene, 158 Faith Way, Front Royal, that a large landscape stone was thrown into the front door. Also, a letter was left in the yard. The letter information is consistent with the statements made on June 15, 2017 by Jennifer McDonald hours prior to the 911 call being made by Jennifer McDonald.

“Based on Jennifer McDonald making statements about the event in detail prior to the actual 911 call, this Special Agent, with the Virginia State Police, is seeking a warrant for filing on making a false police report.”

McDonald was issued a summons to appear in Warren County General District Court on Wednesday, June 27 at 11 a.m.