An Iowa City man has been accused of assault after allegedly causing a fight with family members.

Brandon Calkins, 33, was charged Sept. 7 with assault causing bodily injury and two counts of simple assault.

According to an Iowa City police complaint, Calkins arrived at 2429 Whispering Prairie Ave., and allegedly initiated a physical fight with his mother, father, and stepbrother.

Calkins reportedly began by pushing, grabbing, name-calling, and issuing threats against his mother. His father attempted to intervene, and Calkins allegedly punched him and placed him in a chokehold.

Next, he pinned his father to the ground and violently stomped on his knee. The father had an injury after the assault.

Finally, he reportedly pushed his mother and slapped his stepbrother. The mother and stepbrother were victims of simple assault, because they were not injured.

Simple assault is a simple misdemeanor. Assault causing bodily injury is a serious misdemeanor.

— by Megan Sanchez