Lang
9/17/25
Iowa City Police say a machete-wielding transient committed assault and made threats after being kicked out of an apartment building Tuesday afternoon.
According to arrest records, just after 3:15 p.m. 45-year-old Thomas Paintin was told to leave the apartment stairwell at 335 South Gilbert Street because he was trespassing. He reportedly replied by pulling out a 13-inch machete, pushing one person to the ground, and threating to “kick their ass”. A small baggie of methamphetamine was allegedly found on Paintin’s person upon his arrest.
Paintin, a convicted felon, is charged with Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, Person Ineligible to Carry a Dangerous Weapon, Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, and 2nd Offense Trespassing. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum of eight years in prison.