Woman who pleaded guilty in false rape sentenced to prison

<p><span style="color:black; font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:10.5pt; mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-bidi-language:AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin">A former Sacred Heart University student who falsely accused two university football players of rape was sentenced today to a year in prison. </span>&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 23, 2018, 9:42 AM

Updated 2,084 days ago

Share:

A former Sacred Heart University student who falsely accused two university football players of rape was sentenced today to a year in prison.
Nikki Yovino previously took a plea deal on the day jury selection was supposed to begin for her trial.
Yovino did not address the court on Thursday, but one of the men she previously accused did.
Malik St. Hilaire told the judge his life has been a roller coaster since the incident.  He explained how he suffers from anxiety and PTSD and how he hopes she understands what she did.
"I went from being a college student to being at home, expelled, with no classes, no information, and no opportunity to even clear my name," he said.
The case dates back to October 2016 when police say Yovino accused two football players of raping her at an off-campus party.
They say further investigation revealed the sex was consensual and Yovino admitted to making up the allegations in an effort to gain sympathy from a potential new boyfriend.
She pleaded guilty to two counts of falsely reporting an incident and one count of interfering with a police investigation - all misdemeanors. Prior to the deal, she'd been charged with a felony.
The agreement calls for one year in prison, followed by three years' probation. If she violates probation, she'll have to go back for another two years.
Yovino has already served about three months while in custody since the plea.
The attorney for the two men accused by Yovino says they will be moving forward with a civil case against her.


More from News 12
1:41
STORM WATCH: Risk of coastal flooding; rain and thunderstorms hit Wednesday morning

STORM WATCH: Risk of coastal flooding; rain and thunderstorms hit Wednesday morning

1:58
Residents at Bridgeport's Greene Homes community to be part of planning process for new complex

Residents at Bridgeport's Greene Homes community to be part of planning process for new complex

2:20
Connecticut's workforce celebrates new legislation guaranteeing paid sick time

Connecticut's workforce celebrates new legislation guaranteeing paid sick time

0:32
Police: Man wanted for Torrington bank robbery

Police: Man wanted for Torrington bank robbery

2:23
Stew Leonard’s considers 2nd attempt at bringing store to Orange

Stew Leonard’s considers 2nd attempt at bringing store to Orange

2:21
Stamford man recovers from rare Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Stamford man recovers from rare Rocky Mountain spotted fever

2:43
EXCLUSIVE: Bridgeport truck driver whose flatbed was struck in fiery I-95 crash says he’s grateful to be alive

EXCLUSIVE: Bridgeport truck driver whose flatbed was struck in fiery I-95 crash says he’s grateful to be alive

0:53
Bridgeport plans to restore the Perry Memorial Arch

Bridgeport plans to restore the Perry Memorial Arch

0:30
Little Feat to headline Milford’s 50th Oyster Festival

Little Feat to headline Milford’s 50th Oyster Festival

0:41
US provides $3 million relief funding toward reconstructing Fairfield Avenue Bridge in Norwalk

US provides $3 million relief funding toward reconstructing Fairfield Avenue Bridge in Norwalk

0:42
AT&T lauds nearly $500M investment in network infrastructure across Connecticut

AT&T lauds nearly $500M investment in network infrastructure across Connecticut

0:32
'Be careful when you're on your cellphone'. Bridgeport officials relay safety message following pedestrian accidents

'Be careful when you're on your cellphone'. Bridgeport officials relay safety message following pedestrian accidents

0:30
CT lawmakers vote to extend sick days to nearly all workers; bill heads to governor's desk

CT lawmakers vote to extend sick days to nearly all workers; bill heads to governor's desk

1:43
Made in Connecticut: Fresh squeezed juice from Ripe Juice Bar

Made in Connecticut: Fresh squeezed juice from Ripe Juice Bar

Discounts and perks teachers can use all year

Discounts and perks teachers can use all year

Guide: Deals and freebies for health care workers

Guide: Deals and freebies for health care workers

1:43
Saravanaa Bhavan a restaurant serving Indian vegetarian cuisine opens in Stamford

Saravanaa Bhavan a restaurant serving Indian vegetarian cuisine opens in Stamford

Former Bridgeport official pleads guilty to charges related to primaries and election in 2017, 2018

Former Bridgeport official pleads guilty to charges related to primaries and election in 2017, 2018

2:11
Security camera footage shows onset of deadly Stamford house fire

Security camera footage shows onset of deadly Stamford house fire

1:48
'This was a remarkable recovery': I-95 officially operating at full capacity

'This was a remarkable recovery': I-95 officially operating at full capacity