Police say Iowa City man was dancing on cemetery statue; arrested for assaulting officer

An Iowa City man was arrested Friday night after police tried to remove him from a statue he was dancing on at the Oakland Cemetery.

Brian R.D. Holst Jr., 18, of Iowa City faces charges of assault on a peace officer, disorderly conduct and interference with official acts.

Officers called to the cemetery at 11:43 p.m. Friday found Holst dancing on the cemetery's famed "Black Angel" statue. Police said Holst became aggressive and began pushing and physically fighting with officers immediately after they arrived.

Police said they had to use a Taser stun gun on Holst to get him under control.

The officers weren't hurt in the incident.

Iowa City Police Sgt. Denise Brotherton said it's fairly common for police to be called to the "Black Angel," especially with the growing popularity of vampire TV shows and movies.

“It's become kind of a draw,” Brotherton said. “Most people do things around it, but not on it.”

Police found a glass pipe in Holst's pocket during a search. Holst told officers he used the pipe to smoke marijuana.

Holst was in the Johnson County Jail Monday on a $1,000 cash-only bond.

Another man found "lingering in the shadows" at the scene was arrested on an outstanding warrant and taken to the Linn County Jail.

View Larger Map