Ely man accused of raping 15-year-old

An Ely man with a long criminal history was arrested Tuesday and is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl and threatening her with a knife.
David Nielsen, 34, was apprehended at a residence on North 11th Avenue East.
He was lodged in the county jail in Virginia on one count of first degree criminal sexual conduct, and other charges are pending, according to a news release from the St. Louis County Sheiff’s Department.
Authorities say the alleged assault occurred at 1300 Airport Road.
Monday evening, the sheriff’s department as well as Ely police responded to Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, on a report that a 15-year-old female juvenile has been sexually assaulted and threatened with a knife by an adult acquaintance.
The adult was identified as Nielsen, and he was arrested the following morning.
According to the county jail roster, Nielsen remained in custody as of Wednesday. Bail had not yet been set.
Court records indicate that Nielsen has numerous prior convictions, including felony crimes of domestic abuse, assault, assault of a police officer, and violating protection orders, as well as several misdemeanors.
No further information was available prior to the Echo’s Wednesday deadline.