Bar owner arrested for public health violation

The owners of a local pub have been charged for public health violation after not following the state-issued guidelines for social distancing.

On Sept. 4, the Newton Police Department did a check at the Pour Bastards Pub at 113 First Ave. E. Officers found there was no social distancing at the bar. Officers reported the bar had standing room only at 1:15 a.m. and there was no clear distinction between groups. When officers approached the bar owner, Charles King, of Nevada, with a copy of the guidelines, he was told it was his responsibility to ensure the guidelines were followed. King’s response was customers were adults and it was their responsibility if they wanted to come to the bar they could. He also expressed his disagreement with the guidelines.

The pub was previously warned on Aug. 9 so the NPD determined the owner would be charged with criminal charge for public health violation. Officers returned to the bar at 10:53 p.m. Sept. 10 to serve the owner with the charges. During the process, King ripped through the paper with a pen and ripped the paper off the officers’ clipboard, according to the report.

King attempted to return to the bar and was ordered not to do so. Officers grabbed King by the shirt to direct him back out in front of the bar where he was told he was under arrest. At this time, King became resistant and refused to put his hands behind his back.

King was arrested and transported to the Jasper County Jail. At the jail, King failed to declare any items on his person, despite seeing the sign posted stating it was a felony to bring contraband into the jail. King very loudly read the sign and acknowledged it. A pouch was found to contain a vape cartridge that contained 87.2 percent THC and .2 percent CBD.

King was additionally charged with interference with official acts and two counts of possession of contraband in a correctional institution.

King was released on a $5,600 cash or surety bond. His intial appearence is set for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 29.