Iowa City transient charged with assaulting long time girlfriend
Hunter
07/18/22
An area transient who has been in an intimate relationship with his girlfriend for nine years has been arrested after allegedly assaulting her.
Police say the incident occurred at the Capitol House Apartments on South Dubuque Street. At around 1:40 am Saturday, 31-year-old Samuel O’Hara allegedly pushed the woman against a door, causing her to hit her head. She was then reportedly pushed to the ground, then punched two or three times in the face by O’Hara. The woman said that during the assault, O’Hara told her that he was going to take her out, was going to kill her, and would not be caught because he knew what to do with the body. The woman attempted to call 911 but O’Hara allegedly took her phone and put it in his pocket. She then tried to use his phone to call for help but O’Hara took it away from her.
The woman suffered scrapes on her legs and a possible broken finger during the altercation.
O’Hara has two previous domestic assault convictions; he was charged with his third or subsequent, 1st degree Harassment, and Obstruction of Emergency Communications. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to over seven years in prison.