MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – A woman who falsely claimed she was raped at the beach pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in court Wednesday, court documents say.
Rather than the felony charge of filing a false police report, Taffy Wheeler pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of giving false information to law enforcement.
Horry County police said Wheeler made up an elaborate story about a rape in Surfside Beach in January.
Wheeler claimed she was attacked from behind when she was out for a morning run. She said four men pushed her face down in the sand and called her names. A family member says she went to a local hospital and was treated for injuries.
During the investigation, police say Wheeler’s story changed several times and she eventually recanted her story.
Police also documented that no sand was found on Wheeler’s face or in her ears, despite her claim that the attackers pushed her face into the sand. A police report states the reason for her rape claim was to cover up an affair she was having with a former co-worker.
Wheeler will have to pay $540 in fines and court costs.