Two Hawkeyes arrested on alcohol charges

Iowa City Police arrested Iowa football players Jewel Hampton and Jordan Bernstine for public intoxication early Saturday morning after alleged incidents at Vito's, on the Ped Mall in Iowa City.

Hampton, a running back from Indianapolis, Ind., also was cited for being in a bar illegally after 10 p.m. Iowa City's new 21-only ordinance that went into effect at midnight June 1. This is the first weekend for the new law.

According to the complaint and Lt. Bill Campbell, police to a fight in progress at Vito's. Officers observed a large group near the back bar and after investigating bar staff and patrons stated Hampton was the "subject causing the problems."

Campbell said Hampton was involved in several "physical incidents at the bar."

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz issued a statement Saturday afternoon saying the incident would be "handled internally."

“I am aware of the incident involving Jordan Bernstine and Jewel Hampton Friday evening and at this time I am in the process of gathering all the facts concerning the incident," Ferentz said. "Until I have all the facts, I'll have no further comment and the incident will be handled internally.”

Hampton, 20, who was observed with "red, watery eyes," had a pre-arrest blood-alcohol content was .o85 and post-arrest, 2:35 a.m. Saturday, was .091. The legal BAC in Iowa is .080.

Bernstine, 21, was arrested after he "hampered" the Hampton arrest, Campbell said. "He was told he needed to move away and he was not constructive," Campbell said. Bernstine made it difficult for officers to move Hampton into the patrol car.

Bernstine's blood-alcohol level was .127, according to Campbell. The report states Bernstine, listed as Jordan Morris on the complaint, had "bloodshot, red watery eyes" and "slurred speech." The complaint also has the word "vulgar" in it.

Bernstine is a defensive back from Des Moines.

Hampton's "under 21 in a bar" ticket carries a total fine and costs of $735.

A new ordinance took effect this past Tuesday (June 1) that bans people younger than 21 from being in Iowa City bars after 10 p.m. Previously, the minimum bar-entry age was 19.

The City Council, with the encouragement of University of Iowa administrators, said a change was needed to help this college town address problems with underage and binge drinking.

Hampton and Bernstine were in court Saturday morning. A person at the Johnson County Jail didn't know what their pleas were.

Hampton, a sophomore, missed the 2009 season with a knee injury, but participated in spring practice. He was Iowa's projected starter going into '09 after rushing for 463 yards and a then-record seven touchdowns as a true freshman in 2008. But in June, he suffered a torn ACL and sat out the season after trying to fight through it during fall camp.

Bernstine, a junior, went into the 2009 fall camp as a frontrunner for a cornerback position, but he suffered a broken ankle in August and took a redshirt.