Hunter
10/26/23
Iowa City’s Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission is recommending the removal of one of its members who is being held in the Johnson County Jail on multiple charges.
The board voted unanimously to approve the removal of 44-year-old Eric Harris.
He was arrested in March of this year after being accused of trying to set himself on fire at his Sandusky Drive residence. Police say he held a blowtorch to furniture and his own face while other people, including two children, were inside the house. Harris was charged with 1st Degree Arson and two counts of Child Endangerment.
He was arrested again in June after allegedly starting a physical altercation with a member of the same Sandusky Drive residence. He was charged with Domestic Assault and marijuana possession.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says it was notified that a GPS monitor worn by Harris had been tampered with just after 11:00am September 30th. Court documents indicate the day before, Harris was allegedly evicted from Inside Out Reentry House in Iowa City for his behaviors.
The last known location of Harris’ monitor was the Trailways bus station on East Court Street. The monitor was found in a nearby trash can. Police indicate a bus was scheduled to leave Iowa City for Chicago at about the time the monitor was cut. Officers contacted Harris, who allegedly replied with admissions of trying to flee from prosecution.
Harris was booked into the Johnson County Jail October 5th and charged with Escape of a Felon, Fleeing to Avoid Prosecution and 5th Degree Criminal Mischief.
Harris had not attended a TRC meeting since the March incident.