IC man accused of extortion arrested for domestic assault

Hunter
06/23/21

An Iowa City man scheduled to be tried on extortion charges later this year has been arrested after allegedly choking the mother of his child.

Police say 29-year-old Kelvin Ware of Muscatine Avenue got into a physical altercation with the woman Monday morning. Ware allegedly put his hands around the woman’s neck, choking her several times and impeding her airway. He also reportedly was holding their baby to block the woman from leaving the house.

Arriving officers observed visible injuries around the woman’s neck, and she complained of pain.

Ware was taken into custody and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault 2nd Offense, Domestic Abuse Assault Restricting Airflow, and Child Endangerment. If convicted on all three counts, he could be sentenced to up to nine years in prison. A no-contact order was requested.

Last December 29th, Ware allegedly threatened several times to share nude photos of a woman on social media without her permission if she didn’t provide him with more pornographic photos. Police say he sent the photographs he had of her to another individual. After a warrant was issued, Ware was arrested on April 5th.  Earlier this month, he submitted a written not-guilty plea. A case management conference is scheduled for July 23rd and trial set for September 21st. If convicted on Extortion and 1st degree Harassment charges, Ware could get up to seven years in prison.