Newell man arrested in Storm Lake domestic assault investigation

A Newell man is jailed in Buena Vista County after authorities say a late-night domestic dispute in Storm Lake escalated into choking, a witness intervention and charges tied to an alleged assault on a pregnant woman. Stacy Wray, 25, was booked into the Buena Vista County Jail on June 20 and remained held on a $5,300 bond.

Buena Vista County sheriff’s investigators say the alleged assault happened about 11 days earlier in a residence in the 300 block of East Third Street in Storm Lake, around 11 p.m., after an argument between Wray and his fiancée. According to the woman’s account, Wray choked her during the altercation.

Investigators also said a witness tried to break up the fight and was allegedly slapped by Wray. Wray denied that accusation when questioned. In interviews cited by authorities, he acknowledged that there was a verbal dispute, said the victim hit him on the chest, and said his hands slipped before he ended up choking her. He also told investigators he stopped once he realized what was happening.

Wray was arrested on charges of domestic assault of a pregnant person and domestic assault. Under Iowa law, domestic abuse assault against a pregnant person can be charged as a Class D felony in specified circumstances, and domestic abuse assault penalties can range from a simple misdemeanor to a Class D felony depending on the facts and prior history. State materials also say that a first-offense domestic abuse assault involving pressure to the throat or neck that knowingly impedes breathing or circulation can be charged as an aggravated misdemeanor.

The case now moves into the county court system with Wray still in custody at the Buena Vista County Jail. As of the latest report, no preliminary hearing had been set.

For victims in Buena Vista County and across northwest Iowa, Family Crisis Centers says it provides free, confidential domestic violence services and a 24-hour statewide hotline. The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence says it supports a statewide network of 25 victim service provider agencies and survivor support in all 99 counties, including local advocates who can help with safety planning and next steps after an assault.