Hunter
09/11/20
An Iowa City man was arrested Thursday on a warrant stemming from a July incident where he allegedly threatened his niece.
Police say they were called to the Villa Garden Apartments on Crosspark Avenue at 10pm on July 18th on reports of a male threatening a woman. The man, later identified as 40-year-old Tesepo Neal, was also believed to be in possession of a black handgun.
Police spoke with the victim, who said that Neal was her uncle. The two had engaged in a verbal argument, during which Neal allegedly threatened to kill her and himself before police arrived.
The woman also alleged that Neal grabbed a very large knife and poked her in the left breast while making threats of violence towards her. She told police that she was scared and concerned for her safety as a result of the altercation. Neal had fled the scene before officers’ arrival.
The woman also showed police a video of Neal holding the knife and visibly upset.
A warrant was issued for Neal’s arrest; he was charged with First Degree Harassment at the Johnson County Jail Thursday afternoon. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to two years in prison. He was released later that afternoon.
A no-contact order was requested and granted by Judge Deborah Minot between the two parties. Neal will be arraigned at a later date.