Hunter
11/25/22
An Iowa City man has been arrested on domestic abuse charges after allegedly locking a household member inside their room and physically assaulting him.
Officers were called to the Lower Muscatine Road residence of 42-year-old Willy Bikoli Monday night on reports of an assault. According to the residents, Bikoli became upset with the victim when he received a phone call referencing the victim’s repeated late arrivals to school. Bikoli then went to the victim’s bedroom, locked it from the inside, and started becoming physically assaultive. The victim told officers that Bikoli grabbed his arms, and he attempted to get up off the bed and leave. However, Bikoli then reportedly became more physical.
The mother of the victim tried to get into the room to stop the assault but was unable due to the room being locked. She then yelled at Bikoli to stop assaulting the victim, then directed another family member to call 911.
Both the victim and Bikoli allegedly stated that there was a previous physical altercation on Sunday where the victim tried to defend himself, which the boy said was another reason that Bikoli became physical again Monday.
BIkoli was arrested and charged with False Imprisonment and 1st offense Domestic Abuse Assault. If convicted on both counts, he could be sentenced to up to 13 months in prison.