The estranged husband of an ISU graduate student was arrested by ISU Police Friday on charges of sexual assault, domestic assault and false imprisonment.

Chuck McClinton, 33, of Keokuk, was arrested at Ames High School, 1921 Ames High Drive, on two counts of second-degree sexual abuse, one count of third-degree sexual abuse, one count of domestic abuse and one count of false imprisonment.

An argument between McClinton and his wife, who is a graduate student in industrial education and technology, began Friday morning after McClinton arrived at his wife’s Schilletter Village apartment Thursday night, ISU Police Capt. Gene Deisinger said. The woman said McClinton used a steak knife to keep her in the apartment for several hours, during which McClinton physically and sexually assaulted her, according to police reports.

Deisinger said three assaults occurred Friday morning and said more than one knife may have been used in the assaults.

At about 1:30 p.m. Friday, the conflict between the couple had calmed down, and the woman needed to pick up her child at Ames High School, Deisinger said. He said McClinton demanded that he go with her to the school.

As they walked into the building, McClinton was told his car was improperly parked on the street. He went to move his vehicle, and the woman was able to find a school authority to call police, according to an ISU press release. “[She] was afraid for her life,” Deisinger said.

Court records show McClinton was convicted of domestic abuse assault in 1995 and was sentenced to serve five days in prison.

The Ames Police Department responded and contacted ISU officials to head the investigation because the incident occurred in an ISU housing unit, Deisinger said.

ISU Police identified markings on the woman’s body consistent with her reports of abuse, he said. She was transported to Mary Greeley Medical Center for treatment.

Deisinger said Iowa State has a relatively small amount of housing for married or co-habiting couples, but said ISU Police regularly receives reports of domestic violence, especially in University Family Housing north of campus.