By Trish Mehaffey
The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Three inmates in lockdown were charged with intentionally clogging toilets, which flooded areas in the Johnson County Jail, and one of those inmates allegedly spit on a sheriff’s deputy while another allegedly doused a deputy with toilet water containing feces during the incident Saturday.
Martrell D. McWilliams, 21, of Coralville, previously charged with first-degree arson, first-degree burglary and other charges, was charged Monday with assault by inmate with bodily fluids and participating in a riot, both Class D felonies.
Denario N. Mobley, 20, of Iowa City, previously charged with first-degree murder, was charged Monday with participating in a riot, a Class D felony.
Deon E. Brand, 26, of Iowa City, previously charged with second-degree burglary, was charged Monday with assault by inmate with bodily fluids and participating in a riot, both Class D felonies.
According to criminal complaints, the inmates were locked down in a cell block and intentionally clogged their toilets with toilet paper and continuously flushed the toilets to cause flooding. The cell block flooded with water containing feces, and it ran into the lobby area. The water spilled down the stairs into the holding cells.
When deputies responded to the incident, McWilliams threw toilet water, later determined to contain feces, on one deputy, and Brand spit on another deputy’s head, the complaints stated.
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