Natalie Greene, a 26-year-old former congressional staffer for Republican Representative Jeff Van Drew, has been charged with conspiracy to convey false statements and making false statements to federal law enforcement. These charges arise from an incident that occurred on July 23, when Greene allegedly orchestrated a violent attack against herself in a New Jersey park.

According to the U.S. Justice Department, Greene paid a body modification artist to inflict injuries on her body, which she later claimed were the result of an assault by three men. The co-conspirator, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly called 911, asserting that the attackers made political remarks and referenced Greene's association with Van Drew. Upon police arrival, Greene was found in a wooded area with visible injuries, including cuts on her face and upper body, and her hands and feet bound with zip ties.

The investigation revealed that Greene had previously communicated with the body modification artist to create the injuries, and evidence was found linking her to the staged attack. This included zip ties similar to those used to restrain her discovered in her vehicle, as well as a search history on the co-conspirator's phone for “zip ties near me” shortly before the incident.

Greene faces a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted on both charges, which carry a maximum penalty of five years each. She has been released on a $200,000 bond following her initial court appearance. A spokesperson for Van Drew expressed sadness over the incident and noted that Greene is no longer associated with his office, wishing her well in receiving necessary care.