CEDAR RAPIDS — A Tama man who punched and kicked his girlfriend in the face was sentenced Monday to nearly three years in federal prison.

Bryce Saunders Kapayou, age 43, from Tama, received the prison term after a Sept. 13, 2023 guilty plea to domestic abuse assault.

Evidence at the plea hearing and sentencing showed that in April 2023, Kapayou punched and kicked his girlfriend in the face. She was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for substantial injuries to her nose and face. Evidence showed that Kapayou was drunk and in possession of a machete at the time of the assault. Kapayou has a long criminal history and has 51 prior criminal convictions.

Kapayou was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. Kapayou was sentenced to 31 months’ and 16 days’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Corkery and investigated by the Meskwaki Nation Police Department and the FBI.