Riverside man accused of burglary, sexual assault

IOWA CITY - A Riverside man accused of burglary and sexual assault could face more than 50 years in prison.

Nikolas S.H. Petersen, 33, entered an Iowa City residence at 3:40 a.m. Saturday without permission from the woman who lived there, according to Iowa City police criminal complaints.

Police said Petersen grabbed the woman by the head and slammed her into a speaker. He then sexually assaulted her, police said.

Police said the woman tried to flee, but Petersen caught her and threw her to the ground. He punched her and put his hands around her throat, nose and mouth, causing her to lose consciousness, according to police.

Before leaving, Petersen held a knife to the woman's throat and threatened to kill her. Police said Petersen also grabbed the woman's child while holding the knife.

The woman suffered multiple facial injuries that required hospitalization, police said.

Petersen was arrested and faces charges of first-degree burglary and second-degree sexual abuse, both Class B felonies, and other charges. If convicted of all charges, Petersen could spend up to 57 years in prison.

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