39-year-old with sword reportedly broke through neighbor’s door
By GM Today Staff
February 20, 2007
WAUKESHA - An Oconomowoc man who thought he heard a woman being raped allegedly busted through a neighbor’s door, carrying a sword, only to find the neighbor watching pornography.
James Van Iveren, 39, was released last week on a $5,000 signature bond and is scheduled to appear in court again March 9, court records show. He was charged with criminal trespass to a dwelling, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct - all while allegedly carrying a dangerous weapon.
According to a criminal complaint in the case, a neighbor of Van Iveren’s reported Feb. 11 that Van Iveren kicked in his door and threatened him with a sword, demanding, "Where is she?" Van Iveren allegedly forced the man to open a closet in his apartment.
"After finding no one, the person upstairs indicated he’d been watching a pornographic move and as a result Van Iveren left the apartment," the complaint alleged. "
Van Iveren complained that the ‘rape’ had been occurring for several hours but after finding out it was only a movie, stated the whole incident was a mistake."
Police allegedly confiscated from Van Iveren a 39-inch sword, which he reportedly said his father gave to him after receiving it in the armed forces. Van Iveren’s attorney, Jenny Yuan, could not be reached for comment late Monday.