Austin man cited for falsifying crime report; Claimed he was assaulted by three individuals

Published 9:54 am Thursday, September 26, 2019

An Austin man who claimed three individuals assaulted him on Sept. 16 has been cited by police.

According to Austin Police Chief David McKichan, Nathaniel Stahl, 31, has been cited for falsely reporting a crime, a misdemeanor.

Stahl told police he had an altercation with three other males on the night of Sept. 16 near Mill Pond and the skate park, McKichan said. He claimed he was wounded in the groin area by an unknown sharp implement that caused him to bleed.

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Police investigated the area where Stahl indicated the assault occurred, but found no evidence of an altercation, McKichan said. They also did not see any blood on the seat of Stahl’s bike. Stahl then changed his story and said the incident occurred outside his residence in the 400 block of Second Street Southeast. He indicated he changed the location because he was concerned of reprisal from the alleged assailants, who were known to him.

Three males, aged 15, 18 and 19, were taken into custody. They denied any involvement in assaulting Stahl and were later released.

McKichan said Stahl later admitted to police that some of his wounds were self-inflicted in an attempt to make it appear more dramatic.

After further investigation, police found nothing to indicate an assault had actually occurred.

McKichan said that no charges would be forthcoming against the alleged assailants.