DES MOINES, Iowa — An Indianola man accused of kidnapping and violently assaulting an ex-girlfriend pled guilty to several charges on Monday.

In early December 2023 Jordan Blake Mangum, now 42, along with Jessica Anne Marie Wheeler, now 36, entered the victim’s home on the southeast side of Des Moines and duct taped her hands together and kidnapped her. Mangum first tied up the victim at his Indianola home but later took her to an undisclosed location in Clay County. According to court documents, while held captive the victim was strangled, ran over multiple times with a van, and her throat was slashed.

The Polk County Attorney’s Office said that several hours after the kidnapping Mangum drove the victim to the Clark County Hospital and dropped her off in the street outside.

Mangum and Wheeler were later arrested and multiple charges, including first-degree kidnapping, were filed against them.

On Monday, Mangum entered an Alford plea, a plea where he acknowledges the evidence against him could lead to a conviction, and pled guilty to attempted murder, third-degree kidnapping, assault while participating in a felony with a dangerous weapon enhancement, and domestic abuse impeding air/blood flow causing injury.

According to the attorney’s office, Mangum admitted to assaulting the victim with a knife and putting her in a half nelson hold to make her unconscious but claimed that Wheeler had run over the victim with the van and wanted the victim dead.

Mangum faces up to 45 years in prison. He would have to serve a minimum of 22.5 years before being eligible for parole per his plea agreement. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 25.

Wheeler pled guilty to attempted murder and third-degree kidnapping in March. She is facing up to 35 years in prison, with a minimum of 17.5 years. She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24.

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