An ISU student was arrested Tuesday night after police said she falsely reported being stalked by a male friend in Minnesota. It was later determined the male friend did not exist.

Christine Williams, freshman in health and human performance, was charged by ISU Police with filing a false report to a public safety entity.

ISU Police Capt. Gene Deisinger said the woman told police she was being stalked for more than 10 months by a male friend from high school.

Williams also told police a friend of hers had received messages from the “stalker.” Andrea Schippers, freshman in health and human performance, had received e-mails, instant messages and text messages from the “stalker,” but in later police investigations Williams admitted she had been impersonating the “stalker” and sent the messages to Schippers herself.

“Most of [the messages were] not threatening; it was more of an intimidating flare,” Deisinger said. “It was more the bizarreness of it that was frightening.”

He said Williams is being charged with filing a false report to ISU Police and harassment for the messages sent to Schippers.

“It appears that she was trying to frighten her friend to try to maintain the friend’s attention,” Deisinger said.

Schippers and Williams could not be reached for comment.

ISU Police began investigations when Schippers waited outside at an ISU police officer’s car. The officer was on an unrelated call. She told the officer her friend was being stalked and the officer encouraged her to have Williams call and report the incident.

Williams called police later that night, Sept. 6. Deisinger said she provided police with the name of the “stalker” and the names and addresses of several other individuals from Minnesota who could corroborate her story. He said she also told police she had a restraining order against the “stalker.”

Police were unable to find any record of the restraining order. Deisinger said police also checked official databases and determined the “stalker” and the other individuals she mentioned did not exist.

Deisinger said when Williams was confronted by police she admitted the “stalker” did not exist and she had sent the electronic messages to Schippers.

Police obtained a warrant and arrested Williams at approximately 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. She was transported to the Ames Police Department and held on $650 bond. Ames Police Cmdr. Jim Robinson said Williams posted bond early Wednesday morning and was released.

If convicted of the simple misdemeanors, Williams could face up to 30 days in jail and a fine ranging from $50 to $500 for each charge.

This is the third case of a false report to ISU Police since Sept. 30. Cindy Marie Schuster-Villafane was arrested by ISU Police Sept. 30 and was charged with filing a false report to a public safety entity. Police said the woman falsely reported being assaulted by an acquaintance.

Jesse Stephenson, freshman in pre-architecture, initially reported he had been assaulted during an ISU football game to ISU Police Oct. 4. Police later said the assault did not take place. No charges were filed against Stephenson.