State News

Woman sentenced for lying to FBI in Wake Forest kidnap case

Federal authorities say a woman has been sentenced to three months in prison for lying to the FBI during a kidnapping investigation.

Posted Updated
Frank Janssen
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Federal authorities say a woman has been sentenced to three months in prison for lying to the FBI during a kidnapping investigation involving the father of a Wake County assistant prosecutor.

U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles said Thursday that Chason Renee Chase, 24, also received three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to making false statements to federal agents in the April kidnapping of Frank Janssen in Wake Forest.

Chase pleaded guilty in August.

Prosecutors say Janssen's kidnapping was directed by Kenneth Melton, a high-ranking Bloods street gang member, whom Wake County Assistant District Attorney Colleen Janssen prosecuted. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Authorities say Chase lied about knowing and communicating with Melton on a cellphone hidden in his jail cell.

Janssen was rescued by the FBI from an apartment in southeast Atlanta five days after he was kidnapped from his home.

Nine others, including Melton, still face charges in the case in North Carolina.

Copyright 2024 by WRAL.com and the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.