Surrett, already charged in Cedar Rapids chase, faces new charges

CEDAR RAPIDS - New charges have been filed against James Surrett, including allegations that he that he threatened and assaulted a woman and took her vehicle.

On Monday evening, the Linn County Sheriff's Office announced that the U.S. Marshal Service Task Force - along with the sheriff's office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Cedar Rapids Police Department - had taken Surrett, 46, into custody shortly after 7 p.m. at the Budget Inn, 3100 16th Ave. SW. Surrett was wanted on a warrant for driving while barred, felony attempt to elude, penalty enhanced possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia - charges related to a high-speed chase Surrett led deputies on back on Feb. 10.

In addition to the charges related to the previous incident, the sheriff's office said Surrett was also charged with second-degree kidnapping, a charge from the Cedar Rapids Police Department. That charge was not filed and instead, Surrett faces additional charges of first-degree harassment, operating a vehicle without the owner's consent, assault causing bodily injury and false imprisonment.

According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 18, Surrett grabbed the victim by the hair and hit her face. Surrett also threatened to kill the woman. Additionally, Surrett confined the woman against her will and left in her vehicle without her permission.

'In terms of the difference of charges, based off the review of all the reports and various witnesses and what they saw and did not see and the way the law is written, the charges that we filed just seemed to be the more appropriate legal charges,” said Jason Besler, assistant Linn County attorney.

Surrett was initially arrested on Feb. 10, the day of the pursuit.

According to the sheriff's office, deputies tried to pull over Surrett Feb. 10 on Highway 13 south of Mount Vernon Road, but Surrett refused and led deputies on a chase southbound on Highway 13 to Highway 30 and then westbound on Highway 30. The chase reached speeds of 100 mph, according to the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

The chase ended when Surrett went northbound on First Street SW near Riverside Park and collided nearly head-on with a truck and a Cedar Rapids Community School District bus. Four students and two staff members were on the bus at the time of the crash, but were not injured. The driver of the truck and her young child were taken to Mercy Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.

Surrett was initially charged with attempting to elude and driving while barred after the chase and posted bond. Last Wednesday, the enhanced charges were filed against Surrett, prompting the new warrant.

He has a lengthy criminal history, according to the criminal complaint and online court records. He has prior convictions for possession of methamphetamine, possession of precursor with intent to manufacture meth, aiding and abetting the manufacturing of meth and possession of cocaine. He also has prior offenses of assault on peace officers and violation of parole.

At an initial appearance, Surrett's bond was set at $20,000 cash or surety for his charges related to the Feb. 18 incident and $15,000 for the pursuit charges.

'Mr. Surrett poses a very clear danger to the community,” said Matt Kishinami, assistant Linn County attorney, during the initial appearance.