JACKSON TWP., Pa. (EYT) — Charges have been filed against a man who recently admitted to police that his prior allegations related to a domestic assault were false.

Court documents indicate the Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 36-year-old Raphael Staton, of Pittsburgh.

According to a criminal complaint, on March 11, Franklin-based State Police were notified by the Venango County District Attorney’s office that they had received a notarized letter from Raphael Staton in relation to an incident that occurred on May 23, 2019, where Staton was the victim of a domestic assault.

According to the complaint, Staton stated in his letter that his previous statements to the police were false, and he just needed time to move. He also stated that he didn’t want an innocent person in jail because of lies.

One second-degree misdemeanor count of False Report — Falsely Incriminate Another Person was filed against Staton through Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office on Thursday, March 26.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, with Judge Fish presiding.