Lang
3/21/26
A man accused of using a makeshift flame-thrower against an Iowa City Police officer has reached a plea deal.
Court records show earlier this week 51-year-old Christopher Gingerich pleaded guilty to charges of Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations and Domestic Abuse Assault Causing Bodily Injury. A charge of Interference With Official Acts Involving a Weapon was dismissed.
Iowa City Police were called to Gingerich’s Mormon Trek Boulevard residence on May 5th of last year for a reported domestic assault. Gingerich’s husband said he caught Gingerich huffing dust cleaner in the garage and tried to pull the can away from him. Gingerich allegedly swung the can down onto his husband’s hand, causing small cuts.
Arriving police say they found Gingerich barricaded in the garage. Once they gained entry, he allegedly held up a lighter and sprayed the dust cleaner into it, shooting flames at the officers. Once taken into custody, Gingerich reportedly physically resisted.
If convicted on all original counts, Gingerich would have faced a maximum of 11 years in prison.
Judge Deborah Minot sentenced Gingerich to 30 days in jail with credit for time served.