Prosecutors say an eastern Pennsylvania woman lied to police when she told them a man kidnapped her and tried to force her into prostitution.
Northampton County prosecutor Patricia Broscius said in court Tuesday that investigators discovered the woman tried to have a drug dealer kill her pimp, Steven Kitchell, who beat the woman and locked her in a closet for several days when he found out.
Broscius said the woman escaped and went to a hospital, where she told the bogus kidnapping story.
The Express-Times said prosecutors dropped the most serious charges against Kitchell, including rape and kidnapping. Instead, the Bethlehem man pleaded guilty Tuesday to simple assault and unlawful restraint.
Sentencing is set for Feb. 28.
Broscius said an investigation continues and more charges could be pending.
