Hunter
07/13/25
An Iowa City man wanted on assault charges from a 2013 incident was arrested after allegedly interjecting himself into another altercation Saturday.
At approximately 2pm, Iowa City Police officers were in the process of arresting another individual on the 2000 block of Taylor Drive when 42-year-old Phillip Chavis allegedly got involved. He was told to back up and an officer put his hand up to prevent Chavis from getting closer, but he slapped the officer’s hand away.
Chavis was resistave when told he was under arrest, and officers had to force his hands behind his back to put him in handcuffs.
Chavis was wanted from a September 2013 incident that occurred near the intersection of Sandusky and Taylor Drive, where he was hanging out with two other co-defendants when the victim was called a derogatory name. A verbal argument escalated to the point where Chavis allegedly punched the man in the check. One of the other men reportedly grabbed the victim around the neck and attempted to choke him. Chavis is also accused of pulling out a knife and inflicting a large cut to the victim’s right buttock during the skirmish.
Chavis faces Interference with Official Acts and Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations. Along with the Assault with the display or use of a Weapon charge from 2013, Chavis faces a prison term of up to 37 months if convicted on all counts.