North Liberty man arrested after fight, spitting on officer

NORTH LIBERTY - A North Liberty man was arrested early this morning after assaulting another person and spitting multiple times on a North Liberty police officer.

Joshua K. Showalter, 20, was arrested for assault on a peace officer and assault causing bodily injury at 1:15 a.m. today.

Officers responded to Showalter's residence after receiving a report of a fight. Once there, officers were told that Showalter had allegedly struck an individual several times in the left eye.

Police noted that the victim's eye was swelling and had visible red marks and scratches around the neck and chest area.

A police report says that Showalter was also arrested for assault on a peace officer after allegedly spitting into the face of an officer multiple times.

Police also say he made verbal threats to cause property damage and threatened physical harm against the officer's family when being placed into a patrol car.

Showalter was taken to the Johnson County Jail, where he was waiting to see a judge this morning.

Assault causing bodily injury and assault on a peace officer are both serious misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in prison and a $1,875 fine.