Woman Who Temporarily Lived in a Charlottesville Hotel Indicted on Obstruction and False Statement Charges

Charlottesville, VIRGINIA – A federal grand jury sitting in U.S. District Court in Charlottesville has charged a woman who had lived in Charlottesville with multiple counts of making false statements, obstruction, and harboring a fugitive after she allegedly lied to agents with the U.S. Marshals Service regarding the whereabouts of a convicted sex offender. United States Attorney Thomas T. Cullen and Acting United States Marshal Richard “Brad” Sellers made the announcement today.

In an indictment returned under seal on March 13, 2019 and unsealed today following her initial court appearance and arraignment, Janna Rebecca Smith, a.k.a. “Rabbit,” 43, is charged with three counts of making false statements, one count of obstruction of justice, and one count of harboring or concealing a person for whose arrest she knew a warrant had been issued.

“Making a false statement to a federal agent is a serious crime and one that this office will vigorously prosecute,” U.S. Attorney Cullen stated today.  “We will also investigate and prosecute individuals who unlawfully impede the United States Marshals Service in the performance of their duties, including by harboring fugitives or registered sex offenders.” 

“Lying to federal officials during the course of their investigation cannot and will not be tolerated,” Acting U.S. Marshal Sellers said today. “These charges illustrate an alleged blatant disregard for the rule of law, that deserve the prosecutorial attention they are getting. Our Deputy Marshals, along with our fugitive task force officers, do their utmost best to make our communities safer on a daily basis.”

According to the indictment, between approximately May 30, 2018 and July 10, 2018, Smith assisted Christopher Mixell, a previously-convicted sex offender with an outstanding arrest warrant, evade arrest in part by providing false information to the United States Marshals Service.  The United States Attorney’s Office recently concluded a prosecution of Mixell for failing to update his sex offender registration.  His case is presently on appeal. 

The Indictment alleges that Smith made false statements to the United States Marshals Service on three separate dates between May 31, 2018, and July 10, 2018, concerning her alleged lack of knowledge about Mixell’s whereabouts and her alleged lack of contact with Mixell.  The other two charges allege, in part, that Smith assisted Mixell in evading arrest between May 30, 2018, and July 10, 2018.  

The investigation of the case was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Nancy S. Healey is prosecuting the case for the United States.

A Grand Jury Indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.