THORNTON – Shortly before 6:30 a.m. Sunday, October 9th, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s deputies took a report of a domestic assault.
Kenneth Neilsen age 29 of 212 4th Street North, Thornton, was subsequently arrested and booked into Cerro Gordo County jail on an enhanced felony charge of domestic assault 3rd or subsequent offense.
If convicted of 3rd offense domestic abuse Kenneth Neilsen would face a minimum of one year in prison and no more than five years.
However, since he has three previous class D felony convictions (2 counts of forgery, and 3rd degree burglary) he faces a habitual violator status which states he must serve at least three years in prison under Iowa law.
Court records show Kenneth Neilsen has been arrested in Iowa for domestic assault 5 times since 2006.
In March 2006 he was charged in Worth County with domestic abuse assault. In that case the charge was dismissed by the court, and he was found guilty of an adjoined charge of interference with official acts.
In December 2008 he was charged in Cerro Gordo County with domestic abuse assault with bodily injury. That charge was dismissed by the court.
In March 2009 he was arrested by Clear Lake police and charged with domestic abuse assault 2nd offense. In that case Kenneth Neilsen entered a voluntary negotiated guilty plea to an amended charge of domestic abuse assault with bodily injury. Judge Carlynn Grupp ordered him to serve 7 days in jail, and pay the victim restitution in the amount of $2334 (which has not been paid).
In April 2009 he was again arrested by Clear Lake police and charged with domestic abuse assault. Court records indicate Judge John Cherry dismissed the charge after Neilsen “plead to another charge”.
In August 2009 he was again arrested by Clear Lake police and charged with domestic abuse assault with intent or displaying weapons. In that case Kenneth Neilsen entered a voluntary negotiated guilty plea to an amended charge of domestic abuse assault 2nd offense. Judge Carlynn Grupp ordered him to serve 30 days in jail, and 2 years of probation with the Iowa Department of Corrections.
