VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) — A man who admitted to police that his prior allegations related to a domestic assault were false waived his hearing in court on Wednesday.

Court documents indicate the following charge against 37-year-old Raphael Staton, of Pittsburgh, was waived for court on Wednesday, July 1:

– False Report — Falsely Incriminate Another Person, Misdemeanor 2

The charge has been transferred to the Venango County Court of Common Pleas.

Staton remains free on $1,000.00 unsecured bail.

The charge stems from an investigation initiated by Franklin-based State Police in March.

Details of the case:

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 allegedly 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.

The charge was filed against Staton through Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office on Thursday, March 26.