Transient arrested after allegedly assaulting, injuring woman on Ped Mall

Lang
7/10/21

A transient faces charges that he assaulted and injured a woman on the Ped Mall.

Iowa City Police responded to a reported fight near the corner of Dubuque and College Streets, near The Graduate Hotel, just before 2:30 Saturday morning. Multiple witnesses say the woman and 21-year-old Devan Barger had exchanged words before Barger threw a punch, striking the woman in the face.

Arriving officers found the woman with blood on her chin, and she complained of pain to her neck and jaw. Barger allegedly admitted to being involved in the incident, but claimed he’d been jumped.

Police say Barger showed multiple signs of intoxication, admitted to being drunk, and had a blood alcohol content measuring .169%.

Barger, who lists his address as Shelter House on Southgate Avenue, is charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury and Public Intoxication. If convicted on both charges, he faces a maximum of 13 months in jail.