Accused Kwik Shop kidnapper to be arraigned

The man accused of kidnapping and raping a 19-year-old convenience store clerk will be arraigned 8:30 a.m. June 22 in Linn County District Court.

Keith Elson Jr., charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sexual abuse, will likely file a written not guilty plea on that date.

If convicted, Elson, 54, of Cedar Rapids, faces two mandatory life sentences without parole on both charges.

Elson is accused of kidnapping an employee at knife point from the Kwik Shop, 1001 First Ave. SW, in the early-morning hours of May 17. Police found Elson and Daniel at his apartment about seven hours after the abduction.

The woman  told police Elson sexually abused her after he kidnapped her from the store, according to a search warrant.

The victim was treated and released from Mercy Medical Center the day of the abduction, but Elson spent a week at St. Luke's Hospital, recovering from surgery for the stab wound to his chest.

Investigators haven't given further details of how Elson was stabbed.