Hunter
05/07/21
An Iowa City man has been taken into custody after an alleged assault of his long-time girlfriend.
The incident began Wednesday after 6:30pm when a concerned citizen called police about a man yelling, pushing and striking a woman in the area of La Regia on Highway 1 West. The reporting party provided police with a description of the man’s truck, and explained that the woman gave her phone number to the reporting party after just meeting her today. She allegedly told the person that she was in an abusive relationship with the man, identified as 54-year-old Jeffery George of Elkhorn Trail.
A short time later, an off-duty officer contacted authorities and reported that George was pushing and striking the woman in George’s truck.
Police stopped George as he was heading southbound on Highway 218. The woman reportedly had injuries to her neck, which she allegedly stated were sustained after George put his hands around her throat. She also reported that George was grabbing, pushing and pulling her, and threatened to kill her during the incident. Police report that the woman had torn clothes, also as a result of the incident.
When speaking with George, he was allegedly observed with constricted pupils, rapid speech, and he was shaking at times. A subsequent search reportedly turned up a one-hitter that George claimed was for marijuana use. A bottle of white pills was also recovered, and a DRE determined that George was under the influence of a stimulant. A urine sample allegedly confirmed the officer’s claim.
George was taken into custody and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault 3rd or subsequent offense, first offense OWI, Unlawful possession of a Prescription Drug, and possession of Drug Paraphernalia. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to over seven years in prison.
A no-contact order was requested between the parties.