IC man accused of trying to strangle former girlfriend

Lang
6/11/21

An Iowa City man faces charges that he tried to strangle his former live-in girlfriend.

Iowa City Police were called to the Quarters on Highway 6 East at 11:30pm on May 30th after a woman reported that she believed her cousin was the victim of domestic violence. Investigators determined that 21-year-old Orobia Malungu of Benton Drive had been in a verbal altercation with the victim when she tried to leave the room. Malungu allegedly pulled the woman back, slammed her onto a bed and began strangling her. Police say he also bit her lip, causing injury. The woman was able to break away and call 9-1-1, leading to Malungu fleeing the scene.

Investigators say the woman had injuries and was still shaken up when police arrived. They learned that she and Malungu had lived together in a romantic relationship from November of 2020 to May of 2021.

Malungo was booked into the Johnson County Jail just before 11pm Thursday and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Airflow, Domestic Abuse Assault Without Intent Causing Injury and False Imprisonment. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of seven years in prison.