Coralville woman facing charges after allegedly bringing contraband into jail

Hunter
04/07/22

A Coralville woman arrested for operating under the influence faces additional charges after allegedly bringing contraband to the Johnson County Jail.

Iowa City Police observed 19-year-old Angel-Jessica Najera Perez of 10th Street near the intersection of Burlington and Linn Streets just before 1:40 am Thursday committing a moving violation and initiated a traffic stop. The inside of the vehicle allegedly smelled of marijuana, and Najera Perez reportedly had bloodshot watery eyes, impaired speech, unsteady balance, and had the odor of ingested alcohol. After exhibiting impairment on field tests, she was given a PBT. A Datamaster showed her blood-alcohol level at or near .080 percent, and a urine sample was collected for testing.

While being processed at the Johnson County Jail, she was asked if she had any illegal substances on her. Najera Perez then allegedly admitted that she had marijuana concealed in a body cavity. She then produced a pill bottle containing approximately two grams of the substance.

Najera Perez faces a first offense OWI charge, as well as a controlled substance violation and possession of contraband in a correctional institution. If convicted on all charges, she faces a prison sentence of up to seven years.