Tundu

A local man who had been wanted on an active warrant for attempting to solicit prostitution for over a year was arrested last weekend after an unrelated incident.

On Saturday night at approximately 9:32 p.m., the Marshalltown Police Department (MPD) arrested 23-year-old Fikiri Tundu on a charge of interference with official acts at a residence on West Church Street for allegedly pushing himself between a police officer and another suspect, telling the officer to take him instead. Subsequently, a previous warrant was served against Tundu for a prostitution charge in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred on Oct. 4, 2020.

According to the prior complaint, Tundu offered the alleged victim $40 to perform a sex act, and when the victim refused, he is then alleged to have pointed a knife at the victim and told her she wasn’t leaving. He eventually relented and allowed her to leave, but Tundu allegedly threw the knife at the victim as she was fleeing the residence.

In addition to the prostitution charge, which constitutes an aggravated misdemeanor, he also faces charges of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor, and false imprisonment, a serious misdemeanor, in connection with the 2020 incident. Tundu has since been released from the Marshall County Jail, and an initial appearance is set for Feb. 28.