Iowa City man arrested after allegedly found with stolen weapon

Hunter
10/01/21

An Iowa City man was arrested Thursday night after a traffic stop reportedly found him in possession of a stolen weapon.

Police say 20-year-old Rahson Bryant of Hollywood Court was a passenger in a vehicle stopped near the intersection of First Avenue and Bradford Drive at around 9:30pm for not having plates. The vehicle reportedly had a strong odor of marijuana and a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted.

Officers located a Rugar 9mm pistol in the glove box of the vehicle, directly in front of Bryant. He reportedly admitted to officers that he was in possession of the firearm, but did not own it. A check of the serial number showed it stolen out of the Iowa City Police Department.

Bryant smelled strongly of ingested alcohol, had slurred speech and impaired balance, with bloodshot watery eyes. An open container of alcohol was discovered in the passenger door near Bryant.  A post-arrest breath test showed his blood-alcohol level at .167 percent.

Bryant showed measurable impairment during field testing, but due to his alleged belligerence did not complete it.

Bryant has been charged with Trafficking in Stolen Weapons and Possession of Weapons while Intoxicated. If convicted on both counts, he could be sentenced to up to six years in prison.