Accused Kwik Shop kidnapper no longer being charged with sexual abuse

The man accused of kidnapping and raping a 19-year-old Kwik Shop clerk last month will only be charged with first-degree kidnapping, according to the trial information filed today in Linn County District Court.

The trial information only listed the kidnapping charge but Keith Elson Jr., 54, of Cedar Rapids, was originally also charged with first-degree sexual abuse.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Burns said according to case law Elson can't be charged with the sexual abuse charge because it's an element of kidnapping.

“If, at trial, the jurors came back and found him not guilty of kidnapping, they could still find him guilty of sexual abuse,” Burns said. “It's a lesser charge of kidnapping. They will be told that in the jury instructions.”

Burns said Elson faces one mandatory life sentence, instead of two, without the possibility of parole.

Elson is set to be arraigned June 22 and will likely file a written not guilty plea.

Elson is accused of kidnapping a clerk at knife point from the Kwik Shop, 1001 First Ave. SW, in the early-morning hours of May 17. Police found the woman and Elson with a stab wound at his apartment about seven hours after the abduction.

The victim told police Elson sexually abused her after he kidnapped her from the store, according to a search warrant.

Police confirmed Wednesday that Elson was stabbed by the woman during the incident.