Greendale Woman Suffered Repeated Abuse, Police Say

A 43-year-old West Allis man accused of beating a Greendale woman repeatedly over the last five years is in jail and charged in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. 

Police say Rodney Lass strangled, sexually assaulted and battered his girlfriend and intimidated her into not reporting the abuse to police.

According to a criminal complaint, Lass beat the victim multiple times in her Greendale home in the summer of 2012, including one incident in which she briefly lost consciousness. Her co-worker told police the woman showed up to work that day with a split lip and black eye.

About a week after that incident, Lass discovered photos of the woman's injuries on the her phone, according to the complaint, and then punched her in the face and grabbed her by the neck. Lass continued the assault after she slumped to the floor, kicking her in the stomach and ribcage.

Similar incidents occurred in Milwaukee dating back to 2008, according to the complaint.

Lass is charged with three counts of strangulation and suffocation, three counts of intimidating a victim, two counts of aggravated battery, two counts of battery and one count of second-degree sexual assault.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 15. The charges carry a combined maximum sentence of more than 119 years in prison.

According to online records, Lass remains in Milwaukee County jail, with bail set at $25,000.