Man accused of strangling victim with American flag

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (KCRG) - A Cedar Rapids man is facing multiple charges after police say he strangled a woman with an American flag at a home in North Liberty.

According to a criminal complaint, the victim called 911 early Monday morning to report that 39-year-old Adam Sotzen had assaulted her and that he was possibly driving while intoxicated.

The complaint says Sotzen showed up to his victim’s home upset over a prior dispute. Sotzen started yelling at the victim and began destroying property.

Sotzen is accused of taking an American flag from a nearby home, twirling it into a rope, and then placing it around the victim’s neck and applying pressure.

During this time, the victim says Sotzen told her multiple times, “you need to die.” She says she feared for her life because she knew Sotzen was capable of killing her.

The victim’s boyfriend intervened and attempted to get Sotzen off the victim. Sotzen began attacking the boyfriend, punching him in the rib cage and giving him a fat lip.

Sotzen drove away from the victim’s home and was eventually arrested after initially driving away as an officer tried to pull him over.

Sotzen is charged with multiple crimes, including Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury, Operating While Under the Influence, and Harassment.