Drunk bus passenger accused of headbutting police officer

Lang
8/24/19

A drunk bus passenger faces multiple charges after allegedly headbutting an Iowa City Police officer.

A bus driver reported to police that a subject had been trying to steal money from a disabled passenger just before 3:45 Friday afternoon. The suspect got off the bus at the corner of Muscatine and Burlington Streets, and was found a short time later near the corner of Muscatine and Court Streets. The man, identified as 34-year-old Darius Stewart of Friendship Street, showed multiple signs of intoxication. He refused a portable Breathalyzer test and was arrested for Public Intoxication.

Once in handcuffs, Stewart allegedly began swearing and making threats. He then allegedly headbutted an officer, causing pain to his nose and his lip to bleed. Stewart later allegedly spit in the same officer’s face as he was being loaded into a squad car.

Stewart faces additional charges of Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations and Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations Causing Bodily Injury. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of over three years in prison.