Cedar Rapids man accused of bathroom assault on woman

IOWA CITY - A Cedar Rapids man is accused of sexually assaulting a woman inside a Jimmy John's bathroom.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, around 2:32 a.m. Aug. 5, 20-year-old Grant M. Ajango entered the women's restroom at Jimmy John's in downtown Iowa City. Police said a woman was inside the bathroom and told Ajango to get out.

Police said Ajango locked the bathroom door, slammed the woman against a wall and pulled down her shorts. Ajango performed a sex act on the woman, telling her to shut up and let him finish, police said.

Police said the woman was able to pick up her phone as Ajango was assaulting her and text the word 'help” to her friends, who were outside of the bathroom. The friends and employees were able to open the bathroom door and found Ajango holding the woman against the walls, according to police. Ajango had his pants around his ankles, police said.

Ajango tried to flee the restaurant, but was caught by the woman's friends and the Jimmy John's employees, who held him for police.

Ajango has been arrested and faces charges of third-degree sexual abuse, a Class C felony; and false imprisonment, a serious misdemeanor. If convicted of both offenses, Ajango could spend up to 11 years in prison.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com