Cedar Rapids man sentenced to 10 years for sex abuse

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man who held a knife to a woman’s neck and sexually assaulted her last year pleaded guilty and was immediately sentenced Monday, the day before his trial was to begin in Linn County District Court.

Nelson Junior Brocks, 41, pleaded to third-degree sexual abuse and admitted to sexually abusing a woman who had allowed Brocks to stay with her. Charges of second-degree sexual abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon and obstruction of emergency communications were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

According to a criminal complaint, the victim didn’t consent to the sexual act on Sept. 23, 2022. She told police she woke up to Brocks on top of her, forcing himself on her. Brocks choked her repeatedly until she couldn’t breathe, attempted to smother her with a pillow and held a knife to her throat as he sexually assaulted her.

The woman had several injuries, including bruising to her arms and injuries to her lip and neck as a result of the attack, the complaint stated. The woman attempted to call 911, but Brocks interfered with the phone call and told her “I will kill you if you try to call the police.” Brocks wouldn’t let her leave for several hours, according to the complaint.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Chad Kepros sentenced Brocks following the plea to 10 years in prison. He also ordered Brocks to serve a special sentence of parole and complying with sex offender registry requirements for the rest of his life.

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