Hunter
06/06/22
Cellphone video of an arrest in downtown Iowa City late Friday night is raising concern about the suspect’s treatment at the hands of police.
KCJJ reported on the incident, involving 22-year-old Daria Brown of Iowa City. She was observed by Iowa City police officers on foot patrol in the 100 block of Clinton Street violently striking the windows of a bar around 11:40pm Friday after assaulting bar staff for being denied entry because of how intoxicated she was. Upon contact, police say Brown had bloodshot watery eyes, impaired speech, unsteady balance, and had the odor of ingested alcohol. The arrest report also indicates that she was belligerent, profane, and incapable of controlling her emotions.
Police say it was impossible to get a PBT from Brown due to level of volatility.
Brown was placed under arrest, which allegedly prompted her to begin to fight with three officers. She reportedly refused to get into a squad car, kicked an officer, tried to take a Taser off another officer, kicked the door to the squad car, and had to be forcefully placed in the vehicle.
A 40-second cellphone video of the incident has been making the rounds on social media and reportedly shows her being shoved back into the squad car, and an officer appears to throw several punches before shutting the door.
Brown’s alleged violent behavior continued when she arrived at the Johnson County Jail. Brown allegedly began slamming her head against the prisoner cage in the squad car and had to be removed for her own safety. During that process, she kicked an officer in the shoulder. Brown then reportedly resisted attempts to secure her for booking, biting one of the deputies in the leg.
Brown faces several charges, including Disarming a Police Officer, Assault causing Bodily Injury to a Peace Officer, three counts of Assault on a Peace Officer, Interference with Official Acts, Interference with Official Acts causing Bodily Injury, and Public Intoxication. If convicted on all counts, Brown could be sentenced to over eleven years in prison.
Iowa City Police issued a news release about the arrest Sunday, saying they were aware of the video of the incident, saying only that the incident is under review.