A Des Moines man was arrested at a West Des Moines clinic Wednesday after struggling with police over his backpack, which allegedly held a loaded pistol and various opioids.
Tony Deante Jarrell Matthews, 25, of 4560 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines, was charged with controlled substance violation, failure to affix drug stamp, first-offense possession of a controlled substance, person ineligible to carry dangerous weapons and interference with official acts-firearm.
The incident began Feb. 23 about 10 a.m. at the Iowa Clinic at 5950 University Ave. in West Des Moines, where officers of the West Des Moines Police Department responded to a report of an “agitated patient,” according to court records.
The officers made contact with the agitated patient, Matthews, and determined that he had an active arrest warrant out of Des Moines for intimidation with a weapon, according to court records.
While the officers were taking Matthews in custody, Matthews allegedly “fought with officers” when they tried to take his backpack. The officers “had to guide” Matthews “to the ground to gain better control” and place him in handcuffs.
A subsequent search of the backpack disclosed 683 “M 30” Oxycodone Pills, one Ecstasy pill and a loaded Taurus 9mm hand gun, according to court records.
Matthews was held in the Dallas County Jail prior to posting a $5,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing March 7 in Dallas County District Court.
Matthews was arrested in March 2020 in Des Moines on a charge of intimidation with a dangerous weapon. The case in pending in Polk County District Court. He was convicted of interference with official acts in 2017 in Polk County District Court. He was convicted of interference with official acts in 2016 in Polk County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
