Lang
7/16/22
A transient with a lengthy criminal history was given credit for time served after assaulting a woman in an Iowa City park and kicking her dog.
46-year-old Michael Dacunos entered guilty pleas to charges of Assault Causing Bodily Injury and Animal Abuse last March. Earlier this week, Judge Chad Kepros sentenced to Dacunos to concurrent and consecutive 150 day sentences, with credit given for time served. Dacunos was also fined a total of $1,285.
Iowa City Police say Dacunos assaulted his victim in Riverfront Crossings Park behind Big Grove Brewery last October. Witnesses told investigators that Dacunos started yelling at and chasing a woman who was walking her dog on the bike path. Dacunos allegedly knocked the woman to the ground with his bike and began hitting her in the face. Police say he then tried shoving a dog poop bag into her mouth before kicking the dog in the ribs, throwing the woman’s cellphone into the river, and walking away.
The woman suffered bleeding from her mouth and had marks on her face and neck.
Dacunos was initially charged with Assault Using or Displaying a Weapon, Assault Causing Bodily Injury, Animal Abuse and 5th Degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted on all charges, he would have faced a maximum of over five years in prison.
The weapons and criminal mischief charges were dropped as part of a plea deal.
Dacunos has a history of following and attacking women in Iowa City. He also has numerous charges against him for other assaults and for damaging motor vehicles.