Justin Blietz, founding principal of Cedar Rapids Prep, was arrested on first-degree harassment charges
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Justin-Blietz-03-031726-bce509b6c3bd4231af969e5d9f8152b3.jpg "Cedar Rapids Prep principal Justin Blietz arrested")
Credit: Cedar Rapids Prep; Linn County Sheriff’s Office
NEED TO KNOW
- Justin Blietz was arrested two days before his wife filed an order of protection alleging domestic abuse, online court records show
- It wasn’t immediately clear who the alleged victim was connected to his harassment charge
- Blietz’s wife had previously sought a protection order from him last year, but that was withdrawn without prejudice, meaning it could be refiled in the future
An Iowa school principal was arrested on first-degree harassment charges two days before his wife filed a restraining order against him, court records show.
Justin Blietz, 40, was booked into a Linn County, Iowa, jail in connection with the alleged harassment on Saturday, March 14, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.
Blietz allegedly told a woman he would slit her throat and "watch her die," according to a criminal complaint obtained by The Gazette and KCRG.
It wasn't immediately clear who the subject was of his alleged harassment.
Blietz is the founding principal of a charter school in Cedar Rapids, according to his LinkedIn profile. His profile on the webpage of Cedar Rapids Prep, which opened last August, says he lives with his wife and children and "creates a culture where all students feel safe, supported, and connected."
Blietz's Facebook account shows him posing with his children and in holiday photos.
Court records reviewed by PEOPLE show that his wife requested a protective order against him on at least one occasion before his arrest. In March 2025, she filed a petition for "relief from domestic abuse," online court records show.
That case was dismissed without prejudice — meaning it can be filed again — in April, just days after his wife filed for divorce, per court records.
At the time of the alleged harassment incident, the divorce proceedings were ongoing.
Blietz's wife also requested another protective order against him on Monday, just two days after the alleged harassment incident, per court records.
Credit: Linn County Sheriff’s Office
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Blietz was released from jail on Sunday on his own recognizance, law enforcement confirms to PEOPLE. He did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
PEOPLE was unable to determine if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.
Neither Cedar Rapids Prep nor Opportunity Education, which oversees the charter school, responded to PEOPLE's request for comment. Opportunity Education told KCRG Blietz has been placed on administrative leave.
Cedar Rapids police, which the Linn County sheriff's office tells PEOPLE was the arresting agency, did not immediately respond to a request for further information.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.