Comment Re:Some FA (Score 5, Informative) 356
Lying itself can't be a crime
Actually, 18 USC section 1001 does, in fact, make lying to a federal official a crime. Feds often use this law to convict people in lieu of having any evidence that a crime was committed. If you're questioned about an alleged crime, and it later turns out that you didn't commit the crime but you earlier statements don't sync up with later statements, there's a good chance you'll see jail time.
This is why you never talk to law enforcement officers without competent legal representation present. And especially the Feds.