Coralville woman fined for calling 9-1-1 ten times after boyfriend arrested for OWI

Lang
10/23/24

Calling 9-1-1 about a dozen times after her boyfriend was arrested for drunk driving has led to a fine against a Coralville woman.

Iowa City Police arrested 28-year-old Christian Gonzales Leiva of 21st Avenue Place after his 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer was pulled over running a red light just after 1:30 last Friday morning at Burlington and Madison Streets. Multiple empty alcohol containers were allegedly found inside the car. Gonzales Leiva reportedly showed signs of intoxication and registered a breath alcohol level of .130%. He was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated.

Gonzales Leiva’s live-in girlfriend, 37-year-old Martha Zelaya Villata, was inside the vehicle with him. Police say she, too, showed signs of intoxication. Zelaya Villata was described as erratic and refusing to cooperate, even after a Spanish-speaking officer tried to calm her down.

Police say when her boyfriend was taken into custody, Zelaya Villata called 9-1-1 at least ten times. A Spanish-speaking dispatcher told Zelaya Villata not to call back, but she responded by making threats to the dispatcher. The threats were made while Zelaya Villata was still standing near the ICPD officers who arrested her boyfriend.

Zelaya Villata pleaded guilty to charges of Making a False Report to 9-1-1 and Public Intoxication. She was fined $210.