CAMDEN, N.J. — A woman from Ocean City is facing serious legal repercussions after allegedly orchestrating a violent attack and misleading authorities about the incident. Natalie Greene, 26, has been charged with conspiracy to provide false statements and making false statements to federal law enforcement, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. Greene appeared in federal court on November 19, where she was released on an unsupervised bond of $200,000.
The incident unfolded on July 23 when a person believed to be Greene’s co-conspirator dialed 911, reporting that both were attacked by three men while walking in a nature preserve in Egg Harbor Township. The emergency call suggested that the attackers made statements referring to Greene’s connection to a federal employee during the alleged assault.
When police arrived on the scene, they discovered Greene in a wooded area, her hands and feet bound with zip ties. She sustained multiple cuts to her face, neck, and upper body, while also having derogatory phrases—including “TRUMP WH***” and “[Federal Official 1] IS RACIST”—written on her skin. Greene told law enforcement officers that her assailants threatened her life while restraining her and inflicting these injuries. She later relayed a similar narrative to an FBI agent.
However, investigators uncovered evidence indicating that Greene may have staged the brutal assault. They reported that she paid a body modification artist to create the injuries. Furthermore, zip ties were discovered inside Greene’s vehicle, and suspicious search activity was noted on the cellphone of her co-conspirator, who allegedly searched for “zip ties near me” shortly before the incident.
Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba commended the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, for their thorough investigation.
Greene faces severe penalties if convicted, with each charge carrying a possibility of up to five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and three years of supervised release. The court has yet to reveal the identity of the federal official Greene purportedly implicated in her claims, nor has the alleged co-conspirator’s identity been disclosed.
The unfolding case highlights the complexities of fraudulent reporting and the consequences of misleading law enforcement. As the investigation continues, more details may emerge regarding the motivations behind Greene’s actions and the broader implications for public safety and trust in law enforcement.