Larchwood, Iowa — A Larchwood man has been arrested on felony assault charges after an incident in Larchwood.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Lyon County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, 67-year-old Michael Kneifl of Larchwood is accused of pointing a firearm at a family member and assaulting another family member, then resisting arrest. He was arrested on Sunday, December 4, 2022.
The complaint states that when law enforcement arrived, they spoke with multiple people in the home. They say that Kneifl admitted to pointing a handgun in a threatening manner at the reporting party while inside the home. They say he also told them he assaulted the other family member in the home.
The deputy writing the report says Kneifl resisted being placed in handcuffs and multiple officers had to use physical force to place him in handcuffs. He says Kneifl was a guardian to two minor children, ages 3 and 4, that were present during the assault incident.
Kneifl was charged with assault while participating in a felony and going armed with intent. Both are class D felonies. He also faces misdemeanor charges of first-degree harassment, assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, domestic abuse assault, and child endangerment.
If convicted of a class D felony, Kneifl could face up to five years in prison.
He faces a preliminary hearing on December 15th.
Kneifl was released on Monday after posting a $15,000 bond.
