A Storm Lake man, accused earlier this year of assaulting a woman and lighting her hair on fire, was sentenced Monday in Buena Vista County District Court to serve up to two years in prison.
Last month, 37-year-old Jonathan Belcher pleaded guilty to Domestic Abuse Assault With Intent to Cause Serious Injury, an aggravated misdemeanor.
Belcher was arrested for assaulting a woman at a residence in the 400 block of West 6th Street in Storm Lake during the evening of May 22nd. Belcher allegedly pushed the woman to the ground, lit her hair on fire with a lighter, and damaged several windows in the residence. The woman was able to escape later that night and fled to the Super 8 Motel. She sustained minor injuries to her upper body and hair. Belcher was located late that night in the area of Lake Avenue and Milwaukee Avenue.
Belcher was originally charged with 3rd Offense Domestic Abuse Assault, a class D felony…and Reckless Use of Fire and 4th Degree Criminal Mischief, both serious misdemeanors. Belcher reportedly had two prior convictions for Domestic Assault from 2019 in Alabama.