Marion man accused of sexually assaulting neighbor

Charged in September for grabbing another neighbor’s buttocks

Nov. 8, 2021 4:23 pm, Updated: Nov. 8, 2021 6:12 pm

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Marion man, charged in September after being accused of grabbing a female neighbor’s buttocks, now is accused of dragging another neighbor by her hair into a bedroom and sexually assaulting her about a month after the first charge.

Cardell Junior Jones, 48, was arrested on a warrant Sunday and charged Monday with felony third-degree sexual abuse and assault causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor.

According to a criminal complaint, a woman told police that Jones, who is a neighbor in her apartment building, dragged her by her hair into her bedroom and sexually assaulted her Oct 13. Jones became angry when she told him to stop and he hit, kicked and choked her to the point of unconsciousness.

The woman told police she contacted friends who helped her and notified police, the complaint states. When officers arrived, the woman was “distraught and crying” and had visible injuries to her eye, forehead, neck and thighs.

She was taken to a hospital, where a sexual assault nursing examiner documented multiple injuries and a sexual assault evidence kit was collected.

Sixth Judicial Associate District Judge Angie Johnston, during an initial appearance Monday, set Jones’ bail at $20,000 cash or surety. Johnston also granted a no-contact order to protect the woman.

Jones previously was charged with assault, a simple misdemeanor, of a different female neighbor Sept. 2, who told police Jones grabbed her buttocks as she tried to enter her apartment.

His trial in that case is set for Nov. 30.

If convicted of sexual abuse, Jones would face 10 years in prison.