Police: Man Roundhouse Kicks Iowa City Officer; Tased 3 Times

A West Liberty man is facing several criminal charges after he allegedly fought against officers during an arrest Sunday afternoon, requiring him to be Tased three times before he could be subdued.

According to an Iowa City Police criminal complaint, at 3:50 p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the scene of a vehicle accident at the 10 block of York Place. There witnesses told officers that Rick Edward Butler, 32, of West Liberty had left the scene the accident, grabbing a 12-pack of beer out of the vehicle before he walked away.

The officers then made contact with Butler, who they say appeared intoxicated, with an odor of alcohol emanating from his body, his watery eyes bloodshot, his speech slurred and balance unsteady. At this point Butler allegedly threatened to fight the officers and began to struggle against them physically as he was taken into custody. He was then Tased for the first time.

The 240-pound Butler shook off the first Tasing and continued to struggle against arrest, leading him to be Tased again, according to the complaint, at which point the officers managed to get him into handcuffs.

While in handcuffs, Butler then allegedly roundhouse kicked an officer in the leg and had to be Tased again to be subdued.

Butler refused a post arrest blood-alcohol test. He was charged with assault on a peace officer, interference with official acts, public intoxication, littering and possessing an open container. These are all misdemeanor charges.