Courtesy Photo Stingray Thompson appears in this undated photo provided by the Michigan State Police.

ALPENA — An Alpena woman tried to convince minors to lie to police in an effort to protect someone accused of sexually assaulting them, police believe.

During an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of two minors 15 or younger, police learned Stingray Thompson, of Alpena, allegedly coerced and bribed the minors into lying to police.

Thompson was trying to help the suspect avoid prosecution for the alleged assaults, police said.

Police arrested Thompson on Monday. She was charged with accessory after the fact to a felony, interfering with a police investigation, and lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation.

The suspect, a Northeast Michigan resident, has also been charged, police said.