A Des Moines man is currently in the Des Moines County Correctional Center after police say he sexually assaulted a woman in West Burlington.
According to a release from the West Burlington Police Department, officers responded to a report of a sexual assault on Monday, February 10, around 1:25 p.m. Upon beginning their investigation, officers identified the suspect as Ernest Christofferson, 53, of Des Moines. Christofferson was located on West Burlington Avenue and was arrested after an interview at the West Burlington Police Department.
Further investigation led to a search warrant for Christofferson’s belongings, which revealed he was in possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.
Christofferson is facing several charges, including:
Third-degree sexual abuse, a class C felony;
Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), third offense, a class D felony;
Possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), third offense, a class D felony;
Possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.
Christofferson has been taken to the Des Moines County Correctional Center for processing and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on February 21, according to court records.