Illinois Man Arrested for Allegedly Strangling Edina Woman

An Illinois man has been charged with strangling an Edina woman and preventing her from using her phone to call for help.

Jason Scott Utterback, 41, of Robinson, IL, is charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine, and interference with an emergency call, a gross misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, signed by Detective Richard Lutz, police were called to an apartment in the 6700 block of Vernon Avenue South on May 8 on a report of a domestic assault in progress. The caller reported hearing a woman screaming.

Police met with the victim, who said she and Utterback—who had been drinking—began arguing. She said the argument escalated and Utterback began forcefully pushing her, so she grabbed her phone.

Utterback allegedly grabbed the woman’s phone and threw it, then wrapped his arm around her neck and squeezed, according to the complaint. The woman told police that Utterback applied so much pressure that she couldn’t breathe or scream.

Utterback let the victim go after about five seconds, the complaint says. Officers noted a red patch on the side of her neck.

Utterback is free on a $20,000 bond. His next hearing is scheduled for June 1 in Hennepin County District Court.

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