An Iowa Metropolis man who was on pretrial launch for a home assault and possession of marijuana is accused of chopping off his GPS monitor and making an attempt to flee to Chicago.
Eric L. Harris, 44, a member of Iowa Metropolis’s Reality and Reconciliation Fee, was charged Monday with flight to keep away from prosecution and escape from custody, each class D felonies, and fifth-degree prison mischief, a misdemeanor. Sixth Judicial Affiliate District Choose Jason Burns set a $20,000 cash-only bail throughout his preliminary look.
In line with a prison grievance, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Workplace was notified Aug. 30 of a “strap tamper” of Harris’ GPS monitor. The final ping location was on the Trailways bus station in Iowa Metropolis. Deputies situated the monitor in trash can close to the doorway of the bus station, and its strap was lower.
A bus was scheduled to depart at 11 a.m. that day for Chicago, in line with the grievance. Deputies despatched a textual content message to Harris and he admitted that he was fleeing and indicated he knew he was going to be arrested, the grievance exhibits.
Harris was charged in March with setting himself — in addition to furnishings in his residence — on hearth, in line with a grievance. There have been two younger youngsters at residence on the time. When officers arrived March 25, they stated they discovered Harris holding a blowtorch to his face, and noticed furnishings had been burned with the torch. He additionally made statements to police that he had tried to burn himself, the grievance acknowledged.
Harris was charged with youngster endangerment, reckless use of fireside and second-degree harassment, all misdemeanors.
In June, Harris was charged with home abuse assault, a severe misdemeanor, and possession of marijuana — third offense, a felony. Harris is accused of hitting a girl within the head and inflicting damage, in line with the grievance. Police additionally discovered marijuana in Harris’ pocket throughout the arrest.
His time period on the fee began Nov. 17, 2020, and ends Dec. 31, 2024, in line with town’s web site. The Iowa Metropolis Council created the nine-member Reality and Reconciliation Fee in 2020 within the wake of Black Lives Matter protests following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
The fee’s mission is to collect testimony about racial injustices, foster methods for folks to share their tales and encourage direct conversations in the neighborhood. The fee is also charged with issuing a report back to the council with suggestions for modifications and in addition advise whether or not the fee ought to proceed or be disbanded.
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