Lang
5/13/26
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a suspect accused of attacking another person with a machete near downtown Iowa City.
This is the second court date 46-year-old Thomas Paintin, a local transient, has skipped since last October. That’s when he failed to appear for his arraignment. Online court records show Paintin also skipped a case management conference scheduled for Monday.
Paintin is facing charges of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, Assault Causing Bodily Injury, Person Ineligible to Carry a Dangerous Weapon, Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, and 2nd Offense Trespassing.
According to arrest records, just after 3:15 on the afternoon of September 16th, 2025, 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 another down a staircase, and threatening to “kick their asses”. A small baggie of methamphetamine was allegedly found on Paintin’s person upon his arrest.
Paintin faces a maximum of nine years in prison, if convicted on all counts.