George, Iowa — A George man has been arrested on a warrant for felony charges after an incident in George last week.
A criminal complaint filed in Lyon County alleges that 58-year-old Craig Geerdes violated a ban by entering a local tavern and threatening its manager on December 29th. He was arrested on the warrant on Wednesday.
In his statement, the deputy says Geerdes entered the Last Call Saloon in George at about noon that day. Geerdes has been banned from entering the bar for many years according to the manager who is also the victim in this matter. The deputy says Geerdes entered the bar and was told by the manager that he needed to leave as he is not allowed in the bar. The statement says Geerdes became upset and left. According to the Manager, Lucius Johnson, he returned to the bar around 1:10 pm. and was again told to leave the bar or law enforcement would be called. Johnson, the manager, stated that he has had altercations with Geerdes before and Geerdes knew he was not allowed in the bar.
The deputy says Geerdes became upset and went out to his vehicle, retrieved a 410 shotgun, reentered the bar, and pointed the shotgun at Johnson. The statement says Johnson stated that Geerdes said he was going to shoot him. After speaking for a short while, Geerdes left the building, and the deputy says Geerdes shot his gun into the sidewalk outside the bar before getting into his vehicle and driving off.
Deputies say when they talked with Geerdes, he told them the two shells in his gun were for Johnson and himself. He is also alleged to have said both that he “should have done it,” and that he “was never going to do it.”
Geerdes was charged with going armed with intent and assault while participating in a felony, both class D felonies. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison on each count. He also faces misdemeanor charges of assault while participating in a felony and possession or carrying of dangerous weapons while under the influence.
He faces a preliminary hearing on January 16th.
Geerdes was booked into the Lyon County Jail in Rock Rapids and was released the next day after posting a $6000 signature bond.
