Hunter
02/21/20
An Iowa City transient was arrested early Friday morning at Mercy Hospital after reportedly throwing coffee on a security guard there.
Arrest reports indicate 41-year-old Rickie Roberts was being treated for a medical issue just before 5am. After being discharged, police say he remained on scene despite staff requests that he leave.
Roberts was allegedly drinking coffee and threw it in the face of a hospital security guard.
When police questioned the victim, they could smell coffee on his person, and Roberts reportedly corroborated the victim’s story. Roberts, however, allegedly stated that it isn’t assault to throw coffee on someone.
Police disagreed and charged him with the crime, a simple misdemeanor punishable by 30 days in jail if convicted.
A check of court records shows Roberts having dozens of arrests, most recently in January when he was accused of attacking, biting and throwing a chair at a security guard at the Old Capitol Town Center.
