Martha McSally: Former Arizona Senator Reports Being Sexually Assaulted While Jogging in Iowa, Suspect Arrested

Former United States Senator Martha McSally from Arizona disclosed that she was molested while jogging along the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, Iowa, according to KWWL.

McSally shared details of the Wednesday morning attack in a video posted online, describing how a man approached her from behind, engaged her in a bear hug, and molested and fondled her until she fought him off.

In response to the assault, McSally pursued the assailant into the brush at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park and promptly contacted the police.

However, she lost sight of the man before the officers arrived around 11 a.m., allowing him to escape. Law enforcement is actively searching for the suspect.

The former Senator, who is currently working as a keynote speaker, was in the area to deliver a speech about courage just across the Missouri River in Omaha that evening.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of individuals, even those with high profiles, to acts of violence.

Iowa Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested

The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Dominic Henton of Papillion, was later apprehended in Omaha, Fox News reports.

An arrest warrant had been issued for Henton for one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse in connection with the Council Bluffs incident.

Images released by investigators show Henton following McSally over the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and onto the trail.

The assault occurred as McSally was jogging on the River's Edge Service Road south of the I-480 bridge underpass.

Henton, described as a transient who frequents the riverfront area on both sides of the Iowa-Nebraska border, is now in custody.

Former Arizona Senator Martha McSally Was a Rape Survivor

Martha McSally's willingness to openly discuss personal struggles in the public domain has been a consistent aspect of her public life.

Serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives for a Tucson-area seat and spending two years in the Senate, McSally has demonstrated a commitment to sharing her experiences with adversity.

In 2019, during a congressional hearing, McSally, a former Air Force combat pilot, revealed that she had been raped by a superior officer during her military service, AZ Central noted.

Her testimony highlighted the pervasive issue of sexual assault within the armed forces.

McSally spoke candidly about the challenges she faced, including a lack of trust in the system, self-blame, shame, confusion, and a sense of powerlessness.

She emphasized how perpetrators abused their positions of power, leading her to remain silent for many years.

Eventually, as the military confronted scandals and inadequate responses, McSally felt compelled to share her survivor experience, despite her later disappointment with how her revelations were handled.

Her decision to withhold the identity of her assailant left some victims' advocates frustrated, as they hoped she would press her case more forcefully.

Nevertheless, her words sparked an agency review of sexual abuse within the military, contributing to broader conversations about addressing systemic issues.

In 2018, McSally disclosed that she had also experienced sexual abuse during high school, further shedding light on the pervasive nature of such incidents throughout her life.

In the same year, McSally was appointed to the Senate to replace the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., after losing a separate race against Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz. Despite her appointment, she faced another setback in the 2020 election, losing the seat to Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.

Since then, McSally has stepped away from active politics but continues to contribute to various arenas. She identifies herself as an executive coach and serves on corporate boards.

Martha McSally's openness about personal struggles, from her military service to high school, serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing and raising awareness about issues such as sexual assault.

Her decision to share her experiences has contributed to a broader dialogue about the challenges faced by survivors and the need for systemic change in how such cases are handled.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Former Senator Martha McSally describes sexual assault during trip - From ABC15 Arizona