Lang
12/8/24
Firearms charges have been dropped against an Iowa City felon accused of child endangerment.
45-year-old Alfred Washington was originally booked into the Johnson County Jail in May after police say his 15-year-old son reported that his father had beaten him with wooden paint stirrers, an electric cord, and his own fists. A second alleged victim reported Washington had beaten her with a belt and struck her in the chest. Both children’s injuries were corroborated by investigators.
Washington was charged with Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury and Child Endangerment Causing Bodily Injury. If convicted on both counts, Washington could face up to ten years in prison.
Iowa City Police later said that on March 31st Washington took a revolver and both children to the shooting range at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area on Amana Road. Washington allegedly recorded his time there on his cellphone and sent it to friends.
A police search of Washington’s South Dodge Street apartment during his May arrest reportedly turned up a receipt for shooting accessories and a .357 Magnum. A search of his phone allegedly turned up photos and video of Washington using the gun as well as messages about shooting the gun, going to the gun range and attending gun shows.
Washington has numerous previous domestic abuse and felony convictions. He was additionally charged with two counts of Dominion or Control of a Firearm By A Felon and one count of Dominion or Control of a Firearm By A Domestic Abuser. Those charges would have carried a maximum sentence of 15 years behind bars, but court records now show those three charges were dismissed by Judge Deborah Minot earlier this week.
A case management conference on the willful injury and child endangerment charges is still set for December 30th.