Hope House parolee arrested after threatening officer

Hunter
08/04/20

A Hope House parolee has been arrested after allegedly threatening an officer on site and causing bodily injury to officers taking him into custody.

According to court documents, 32-year-old William Carson of Holiday Road in Coralville was on parole for a 2nd degree burglary charge. He was being returned to Hope House after a visit to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics at 12:05am Monday.

The residential officer on duty asked Carson for his hospital discharge paperwork and to empty his pockets. Carson allegedly became agitated with the request and accused the officer of having an attitude and being disrespectful. Carson began yelling about his anxiety condition and how he didn’t like the officer’s approach.

Another officer joined in the altercation and asked Carson to lower his voice and calm down, at which time he emptied his pockets, producing two hollow ink pens that appeared melted on one end. When asked about the condition of the pens, Carson reportedly turned towards the officer who was originally involved , squared his shoulders, clenched his fists and asked, “What do you want to do?”

Carson was asked if he was trying to engage in a fight. He reportedly continued yelling and being disruptive, causing residents to come out of their rooms to see what the commotion was. Carson was directed to go to his own room to cool off, and allegedly said, “that’s how m-effers get beat up in prison.”

The officer took both statements as a violation of Hope House rules against threats and intimidation, and determined that he needed to be removed from the facility. Law enforcement officers who came to arrest Carson were spit on and suffered abrasions and scratches as he thrashed about.

Carson has been charged with interference with official acts causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor punishable by a jail sentence of up to one year.