Man charged in connection to reported sexual assault in Columbia

A Jefferson City man was charged Monday in connection to a reported sexual assault in Columbia.

Police were called to Fazoli’s on I-70 Drive SW just before 6 o’clock Sunday evening for an apparent assault with a knife.Officers said the 25-year-old female victim went in to Fazoli’s Restaurant to report the incident.

As officers were arriving in the area, they saw a male subject matching the description of the suspect atUniversity Subaru onI-70 Drive Southwest. The male subject was later identified as 19-year-old Jemell Butler of Jefferson City, Missouri. Butler was detained and later arrested in connection to the reported assault.

The investigation revealed the victim and Butler had arranged a meeting after contacting each other online. Both were in the victim’s vehicle in the 1100 block of I-70 Drive Southwest when Butler brandished a knife and demanded the victim perform a sexual act.

A struggle ensued for the knife and Butler got cuts on his hands. Butler apparently took the victim’s cell phone when she tried to call law enforcement and then fled the scene on foot.

The victim then drove to Fazoli’s Restaurant to contact law enforcement. The victim was not injured in the incident.

The man involved was treated on scene for his injuries and the woman was taken to the hospital.

On Monday Butler was charged with sodomy or attempted sodomy, robbery, and armed criminal action.