Oxford man accused of threatening victim at knifepoint

Lang
9/4/22

An Oxford man faces charges that he threatened a victim at knifepoint.

According to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, 34-year-old Joseph Short approached the other subject without provocation at Short’s West State Street residence just after 11:00 last Monday morning. Short was reportedly brandishing a knife and threatened to kill the man.

Iowa City Police arrested Short just before 8am Friday at the Town & Campus Apartments on Arthur Street. According to arrest records, officers were called to the complex after Short had been arguing with his brother at the brother’s apartment. Arriving police separated the two, although Short reportedly didn’t believe the responding officer was an actual police officer. Short allegedly called 9-1-1 to ask if the officer was legitimate despite police orders not to do so. He then reportedly physically resisted arrest by kicking officers and trying to escape their grasp.

Short is charged with Assault Using a Dangerous Weapon, 1st Degree Harassment, Assault on Peace Officers and Others, Interference With Official Acts, and Improper Use of 9-1-1. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of over five years in prison.