Hunter/Lang
08/15/22
An Iowa City man who allegedly threatened to blow up the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 2020 has been taken into custody after reportedly violating his pre-trial release conditions.
29-year-old John Hankins faces a number of charges stemming from incidents in late September and early October. He was being seen at the psychiatric unit of the UIHC the morning of September 30th when he walked away. He allegedly threatened UIHC staffers, charged violently at them, and took a swing at one. He also allegedly threatened to, quote, “blow the place up.” That afternoon, Rankins was reportedly intoxicated, stumbling on the property of Carousel Motors on Highway 1 West. He allegedly threatened to break a window at the business, and reportedly assaulted the woman he was with by grabbing her around the neck and throwing her to the ground.
On October 4th, Rankins was arrested outside the Iowa City Panchero’s just before 12:30 am after reportedly trying to engage other people in a fight. Witnesses told police that Rankins threatened to kill a man who had been trying to separate him from the people he was trying to fight.
Rankins was released November 5th 2020 to pretrial supervision and waived the right to a speedy trial. He was treated in both Iowa City and Dubuque in 2021. Once released this past October, he failed to maintain required contact with the Department of Corrections. Attempts to reach or locate Rankins were unsuccessful.
A warrant was issued on May 23rd, and Rankins was booked into the Johnson County Jail at 6:25pm Sunday. He faces charges including Threat of Terrorism, Assault causing Bodily Injury, 1st degree Burglary, and 1st degree Harassment. If convicted on all counts, Rankins could be sentenced to up to 33 years in prison. A trial date has yet to be set.