Hunter
04/06/21
A Coralville man was arrested overnight after allegedly choking his live-in girlfriend and taking her phone so she couldn’t call 911 on him.
Police reports indicate that 44-year-old James Shumate of 4th Avenue Place and the woman share the residence, and the two are in an intimate relationship. Shumate allegedly admitted to restraining the woman on her bed just after 1 am Tuesday.
He reportedly used his forearm on the woman’s neck, impeding airflow. She allegedly stated several times that she couldn’t breathe, but Shumate continued the assault. He also reportedly bit her during the incident.
After Shumate got off the woman, he is accused of taking her phone so she couldn’t call 911. She reportedly screamed for help, and had to knock on a next-door apartment to get in contact with authorities.
Shumate was taken into custody and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault impeding Airflow, Domestic Abuse Assault causing Injury, and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to over three years in prison.
A no-contact order was requested by the victim.
Schumate was also wanted on a warrant stemming from an October incident where he allegedly went to the Coralville Walmart, taking items without attempting to pay for them, then returning the items on an old receipt. Having been convicted of multiple thefts in the past, the 5th degree Theft charge had been upgraded to 3rd degree Theft. If convicted on that incident, it would add another two years to his sentence.