Iowa City man charged after allegedly preventing wife from leaving residence

Hunter
04/11/22

An Iowa City man was taken into custody Sunday afternoon after allegedly preventing his wife from leaving their residence after an argument ensued.

Police say that around 1pm, 31-year-old Jonathan Lanuza of South Riverside Drive was arguing with his wife when he took her phone and threw it across the room. The couple’s six-year-old son called 911.

A short time later, Lanuza’s wife informed him that she was going to leave. Lanuza allegedly responded by holding her down on the couch and refusing to let her leave. The son and the couple’s 11 year old daughter were also reportedly on the couch and began crying. The daughter ran out of the house to call 911, and Lanuza allegedly told her to hang up or he would spank her.

The wife and children were able to leave the residence upon police arrival. Lanuza reportedly had small cuts to his cheek, believed to be defensive marks made by his wife when she was trying to get free from him while he pinned her down on the couch.

Lanuza was taken into custody and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault, False Imprisonment, and Child Endangerment. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to over three years in jail.