An Iowa man who reportedly was fixated on forcing a Black History Month lesson on a captive victim is in jail.

Robert Lee Noye of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was arrested Monday after allegations that he held a woman captive and forced her to watch "Roots," according to a report by The Gazette.

“Roots” is a classic nine-hour miniseries that follows author Alex Haley’s family line from the capture and enslavement of his ancestor Kunta Kinte to the liberation of Kinte’s descendants.

Noye, 52,  allegedly intended to help his victim “better understand her racism,” so he allegedly forced the woman to sit with him and watch the extensive miniseries at a residence in the 700 block of Second Avenue SW, according to a criminal complaint.

When the victim attempted to flee, Noye told her to “remain seated and watch the movie with him or he would kill her and spread her body parts across Interstate 380 on the way to Chicago,” the complaint said.

Noye is charged with first-degree harassment and false imprisonment.

About the Author

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com