July 30, 2026

TRENTON — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today announced that a state grand jury has returned a superseding indictment in the case of a Hunterdon County couple accused of making false allegations against the New Jersey State Police (NJSP). The new indictment handed down by the panel on July 30, 2026, includes an additional charge against one of the defendants in connection with a second alleged false report made to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office against a municipal police officer last year.

Randal Kelco, 36, and Lisa DeStefano, 46, both of Bloomsbury, New Jersey, previously were indicted in regard to their allegedly false allegations against members of the NJSP, in which they accused troopers of sexually assaulting Kelco when the troopers responded to a call for service at their residence. The pair were indicted on two counts associated with that incident: making false reports to law enforcement authorities – falsely incriminating another person (second degree) and conspiracy to commit the crime of false reports to law enforcement (second degree).

The superseding indictment adds a third count of making false reports to law enforcement authorities – falsely incriminating another person (second degree) against Kelco, based on his allegedly false allegation of sexual assault by a Washington Township police officer.

“As this investigation progressed, OPIA became aware of an additional instance in which, as alleged, one of the defendants invented yet another baseless, disturbing story about a police officer,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Fabricated allegations of sexual assault constitute an injustice and a disservice to not only law enforcement but also to real victims. We will stand up for all officers and troopers when they are falsely accused, and those who make meritless claims in bad faith will be held to account.”

In December 2025, OPIA announced the filing of a criminal complaint against both Kelco and DeStefano in connection with claims they made against a group of NJSP troopers who had responded to a domestic dispute at their residence in Bloomsbury in October 2023.

After the filing of that complaint, OPIA learned of and investigated Kelco’s new allegations against a Washington Township police officer in March 2025, leading to the superseding indictment.

Deputy Attorneys General Michael Angermeier and Diana Bibb are prosecuting the case for the OPIA Corruption Bureau.

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.

Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Defense Counsel:

For Kelco: Jeffrey Patti, Esq., Sparta, New Jersey

For DeStefano: Elisia Tadros, Esq., New Jersey Office of the Public Defender