Ryan Lochte Reportedly Charged for Filing False Police Report, Could Face Jail Time

Ryan Lochte could face up to 6 months in prison.

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Ryan Lochte is being charged with making a false police report and he could face jail time, according to ABC News. Lochte could face up to six months, but a monetary settlement remains likelier, TMZ is reporting.

Lochte’s original story was that he and three other United States swimmers were held up at gunpoint in Rio on Aug. 14, but he has since said that story was “overexaggerated.”

Lochte was summoned earlier today to give testimony related to the incident. He flew home to Charlotte, N.C., after the Olympics, but police reportedly want him to return to Rio to deliver his testimony in person. TMZ reports Lochte has no intention of going, and because it’s not an extraditable offense, he can’t be forced.

With the scattered details that have come to light as sports fans have followed intently, it appears conclusive that the swimmers vandalized a gas station bathroom and were confronted by security guards who wanted money for the damage. 

There does not seem to be evidence that a robbery took place. Brazilian police have said Lochte and the three other U.S. swimmers—Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and James Feigen—were not victims, and Lochte’s story was a fabrication. However, Rio police reportedly also exaggerated when reporting the extent of the damage. Who knows what to believe at this point?

The star swimmer has said he had “too much to drink” that night, while two of the other swimmers said Lochte pulled a sign off the gas station wall, which sparked the confrontation with the security guards.

Lochte's teammate Feigin agreed to donate $11,000 to avoid prosecution, and Lochte will likely end up doing something similar.

You can read the full background on this story here.

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