Hunter
05/06/22
A Marion man who was stopped for speeding through a construction zone and reportedly found to be under the influence was additionally charged after his passenger accused him of holding her against her will and assaulting her.
The incident occurred Thursday around 12:15 am near the intersection of southbound I380 and I 80. 23-year-old Benjamin Linderman of 10th street in Marion was catching up to a trooper, who used his rear facing radar to determine he was going 74 miles per hour through the 55 mile per hour construction zone. Linderman reportedly made several abrupt movements before slowing, starting again, then finally pulling over when the trooper activated lights and sirens. Linderman and his female passenger allegedly could be seen appearing to change seats, then both exited from the passenger side of the car.
Linderman walked back to the officer, while the woman, who reportedly was crying, got back in the car and eventually drove away. Linderman allegedly had the odor of ingested alcohol, bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, and admitted to drinking. After field tests showed measurable impairment, a PBT was administered showing his blood-alcohol level at .094 percent.
A check of Linderman’s driving records showed two previous OWI convictions; one from Muscatine County in 2018 and one from Johnson County earlier this year. He was charged with his 3rd OWI, operating without interlock device, and Driving while barred.
Linderman’s passenger was eventually located in the Coral Ridge Mall parking lot. She told authorities that while they were in the car together, Linderman choked her to the point where she couldn’t breathe multiple times. She had no idea where Linderman was taking her and he allegedly told her that they were both “going to end it together.” Because she believed Linderman was going to kill her, she wanted him to let her out, but he refused and continued to forcibly grab and choke her each time she tried to leave their vehicle at a stop.
Officers noted fresh bruises all over her neck area, and an injury from Linderman biting her.
As a result, Linderman was also charged with Domestic Abuse Assault impeding Airflow, Domestic Abuse Assault causing injury, and False Imprisonment. If convicted on all the charges against him, he faces a prison term of up to over 14 years.