Cedar Rapids man accused of sexually abusing, beating woman faces 10 charges

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man faces 10 charges stemming from a sexual assault of a woman who authorities say he beat, threatened with a knife and struck in the face with a gun because she didn’t do what he wanted.

Bruce Jovon Williams, 33, was charged Thursday in Linn County District Court with third-degree sexual abuse, interference with official acts, armed with a firearm, possession of firearm by a felon, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse causing bodily injury — all felony counts.

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He also was charged with two counts of domestic abuse assault — first offense with dangerous weapon, both aggravated misdemeanors; and two counts of domestic abuse assault — first offense causing bodily injury; false imprisonment, a serious misdemeanor; and interference with officials acts — injury or damage, a simple misdemeanor.

A judge set his bail at $50,000 cash only.

The woman told police Williams assaulted her throughout the overnight hours of Wednesday into Thursday, according to a criminal complaint. She said there had been a “long history” of physical and sexual abuse by Williams. He was beating her this time, the complaint said, because he didn’t think she did what he asked sexually.

Williams became angry and started hitting her in the face with his fists and then went into another room, grabbing a knife and holding it above her as if to stab her, the complaint stated. The woman said she feared he would. Instead, he continued to strike her with his fists and then grabbed a gun and struck her in the face, chest and stomach. According to the complaint, the woman had bruising on her face, chin and chest and her eyes were swollen.

She tried to leave the residence but he prevented her and threatened to kill her if she opened the door, the complaint stated. Williams told her she had the rest of the day to please him and stayed close to her so she couldn’t leave. At some point, Williams went to another home nearby and police responded.

When police arrived at that nearby home, Williams ran from an investigator and into the garage. He wouldn’t come out, so officers sent in a police dog and an officer to take him into custody.

Officers found a firearm in the pathway where Williams ran, which they believed to be the weapon used in the assault.

Williams also had an outstanding warrant on two charges from a February incident where is accused of assaulting a woman and strangling her with a belt from a bathrobe and holding gun to her head, threatening to kill her.

He also was charged Thursday with two charges of domestic abuse assault- strangulation and domestic abuse assault with a dangerous weapon, both aggravated misdemeanors, in that incident.

Sixth Judicial Associate District Judge Casey Jones set his bail at $10,000 cash only for those charges.

Williams has previous convictions for harassment, second-degree theft and domestic abuse, records show.

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