Iowa City police have charged the manager of Liquor Downtown with sexual abuse.

Darin Aisenbrey, 39, 704 Red Bird Run, was charged Dec. 2 with third-degree sexual abuse.

According to police complaints, the alleged victim and Aisenbrey went to the back room of Liquor Downtown, 315 S. Gilbert St., and climbed a ladder leading to the top of the walk-in cooler around 11 p.m. on Nov. 26.

The victim said she lay on her back while Aisenbrey sat next to her, police documents show.

Aisenbrey allegedly forced his hands under her clothes despite her struggling. The alleged victim managed to free herself and ran down the ladder to a restroom, police said.

Police complaints said Aisenbrey followed her into the bathroom to block the door. He allegedly told her to perform oral sex in order to receive a T-shirt she wanted.

The victim reportedly refused, forcing her way past Aisenbrey and out the front door.

Third-degree sexual abuse is a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine.

— by Nina Earnest