Lang
8/24/19
A North Liberty man has entered a not guilty plea to charges that he and an accomplice beat another man into unconsciousness at the North Liberty Rec Center.
18-year-old Resean Yates of Savannah Drive entered the plea Friday in Johnson County court.
North Liberty Police say Yates and 18-year-old Pacific Achiza of Alydar Drive can be seen on security video assaulting a male victim just before 8:30pm on July 18th. The video shows the two instigating the altercation, then punching the alleged victim in the face multiple times. At one point, Yates is seen picking the alleged victim up and slamming him head-first to the pavement. The two then allegedly continued to punch the alleged victim in the face as he was lying unconscious.
The alleged victim suffered serious facial injuries and head trauma, although the exact extent of the injuries has not been able to be confirmed.
North Liberty Police say Yates resisted arrest, kicking one officer and injuring his leg and arm. It took four to eight officers to get Yates into the patrol car, and his legs had to be hobbled. He also allegedly continuously threatened the officers and demanded his handcuffs be removed so he could fight them.
Yates and Achiza are each charged with Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, a Class C Felony punishable by a maximum of ten years in prison. Yates faces two additional charges of Interference with Official Acts and Interference with Official Acts Causing Bodily Injury. If convicted on those charges, he faces an additional 25 months behind bars.
Yates and Achiza, who also pleaded not guilty, each have case management conferences set for September 20th. Yates’ trial is scheduled to begin on October 1st, while Achiza’s will start on October 15th.