Iowa City Police: Dispute Over Prescription Drug Use Leads to Girlfriend Being Tossed Over Chair, Knife Attack

An Iowa City man is facing a misdemeanor domestic assault charge after a dispute over the combination of alcohol and a prescription drug took a turn for the worse early this morning.

According to an Iowa City Police complaint, an officer responded to an unknown problem, possibly a fight, at an apartment at 922 E. College Street, at 2:43 a.m.

There he found three people, injured in varying degrees with blood splattered on different areas of the apartment. A female victim and witness said that the dispute had occurred over a disagreement about Dustin Michael Dietrick, 20, and his alleged abuse of prescription drugs and alcohol.

The argument reportedly escalated when Dietrick allegedly pushed the woman, his girlfriend of two-years, against a door and threw her over a chair. The other witness interceded to stop this fight, when Dietrick then allegedly ran into the other room to get a knife. He then allegedly took the knife and threatened himself and his girlfriend with it, holding it to her arm and causing small lacerations.

Dietrick and the woman have been living together since August according to the complaint. Dietrick was charged with domestic abuse with intent with use or display of a weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor. He is currently in the Johnson County Jail on $7,500 cash-only bond.