Storm Lake man sentenced to prison for assault

A Storm Lake man was sentenced this week in Buena Vista County District Court to up to five years in prison for assaulting a person last year.

Jermaine Ford, 32, was charged with assault causing serious injury, a class D felony, and assault with violation of personal rights, a serious misdemeanor. Ford pleaded guilty to assault causing serious injury on July 5. According to a press release from the Buena Vista County District Attorney's Office, during sentencing, the Iowa Department of Corrections recommended that Ford be placed on probation. The prosecutor argued for a prison sentence based on Ford's criminal history, lack of remorse and other aggravating circumstances. The court followed the state's argument.

On September 11th of last year, a male victim was reportedly walking in the parking lot in the area of ​​the 200 block of West Milwaukee Avenue in Storm Lake when a vehicle drove by. The vehicle stopped, Ford got out and began an argument with the victim. During the argument, Ford allegedly punched the victim in the neck area and made a racist remark. The victim checked himself into Buena Vista Regional Medical Center later that day to be treated for severe neck injuries. Ford was taken into custody two days later.

The State of Iowa was represented in this case by Buena Vista County District Attorney Paul Allen.