Brian David Couture pleaded guilty to Initiating a False Report. Judge Beth Roberts ordered Couture to perform 80 hours of community service and to pay restitution. Deputy District Attorney Thomas James Belesiu prosecuted the case against Couture.
On March 6, 2019, Couture called Forest Grove Police to report a robbery at his residence. He told law enforcement at the time that someone broke into his home and assaulted him. Arriving officers found the home was ransacked and spotted blood strewn about the residence. Couture’s work laptop was damaged and approximately $700 was missing from a jar containing his daughter’s cookie sale proceeds.
Investigators quickly spotted inconsistencies in Couture’s story and began to challenge his account of what happened. Eventually, Couture admitted he falsified the report. Couture told police that he stole the money from his daughter to pay for an erotic massage and faked the robbery when he realized he couldn’t explain the missing funds.
Judge Roberts imposed a $100 fine on Couture and he will also be placed on probation. The amount of restitution to be paid will be determined at a later date.