Police: Registered sex offender involved in assault at Mayflower Residence Hall

IOWA CITY - A registered sex offender has been arrested in connection with an assault at Mayflower Residence Hall that triggered a Hawk Alert this weekend.

According to a University of Iowa Hawk Alert issued early Saturday, an assault occurred behind Mayflower at 4:31 a.m. The suspect fled when police arrived and officers pursued him on foot and with a K-9 officer, but he was not located at the time.

Now, the suspect has been identified as Fitsum H. Russell, 28, of Iowa City.

UI Police said Russell held a woman down on the ground and attempted to commit a sex act on her. Russell allegedly told the woman he would commit the act against her will.

Police said the woman scraped her knees during the assault.

Russell faces one count of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse causing bodily injury.

He also faces one count of non-compliance with the Iowa Sex Offender Registry. Authorities said Russell was registered as living in Cedar Rapids, but has been living on South Johnson Street in Iowa City for the past two months and failed to update the sheriff's office of his address change, as is required.

According to the Iowa Sex Offender Registry, Russell was convicted of indecent exposure in June 2010.

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