Iowa City man arrested for OWI reportedly gave officer false name

Hunter
11/13/23

An Iowa City man arrested for OWI faces additional charges after reportedly giving officers a false name when taken into custody.

Police say 28-year-old Dequan Mardis of South Scott Boulevard was stopped on Gilbert Street at 12:20 am Sunday for operating his vehicle without headlights. Upon contact, he was observed with bloodshot watery eyes, the odor of alcohol on his breath, and other signs of impairment.  Mardis refused a PBT and Datamaster.

He then gave police a false name and date of birth before being taken to jail on that identity.  Once at the Johnson County Jail, deputies notified the officer that Mardis gave him someone else’s name and correctly identified him.

Mardis was charged with 2nd offense OWI and Malicious Prosecution. If convicted on both counts, he could face up to three years in jail.