Hunter
07/20/22
An Iowa City man who earlier this month was accused of being in possession of explosive devices at the Guidelink Center and at the College of Public Health has been charged with additional offenses relating to the incidents.
Police were called to Guidelink the morning of July 5th on report of a subject assaulting staff. The arriving officers came upon 23-year-old Nezzy Underscore Conway of South Dubuque Street, allegedly screaming and threatening staff members. When staff retreated into the building, Conway reportedly tried to follow them but was stopped by officers.
Conway is accused of spitting on an officer, then hitting him with a large butane torch, causing an injury to his face. Conway also allegedly kicked and resisted arrest while being handcuffed, injuring a second officer’s hand.
A backpack was left on scene with suspicious materials. The Johnson County Metro Bomb Team removed the backpack, which contained incendiary materials with an attached fuse. The package was removed without incident.
The Bomb Team responded to a separate suspicious package earlier in the morning at the College of Public Health. The device was reportedly placed in an exterior electrical outlet and appeared singed were someone attempted to set it on fire. Both devices contained the same type of materials and the same color of neon tape.
Law enforcement learned that Conway planned to take his own life if a romantic partner wasn’t found for him within 30 days, and that using explosive devices was part of his suicide plan. Police believed he was acting on that plan.
The Bomb Team then executed a search warrant at Conway’s Capitol House Apartments residence and reportedly found a propane tank that Conway told a witness that he stole from an unlocked building on Proctor and Gamble property on June 25th. Other items consistent with the incendiary materials found at the GuideLink Center were also found.
New charges filed against Conway include two counts of Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations causing Injury and Interference with Official Acts causing Injury for the Guidelink incident. He also faces a 3rd degree Burglary charge for stealing the LP tank. The new charges come with a maximum sentence of ten years; combined with the initial charges, Conway now faces up to 56 years in prison.