A 46-year-old man faces multiple felony charges following a significant disturbance at a Marriott Courtyard in Bettendorf, Iowa, on the night of October 2. The incident, which police say was caused by a reaction to cocaine, resulted in a full hotel evacuation, an estimated $25,000 in damages, and an injury to a responding police officer.
Gary Clark Stanley was taken into custody after allegedly discharging fire extinguishers, smearing blood throughout a hotel floor, and resisting arrest. Authorities later discovered a substance that tested positive for cocaine in his possession during his jail intake.
Key Takeaways
- A guest at a Bettendorf, Iowa, Marriott Courtyard triggered a fire alarm, leading to a full hotel evacuation.
- The suspect, Gary Clark Stanley, is accused of causing approximately $25,000 in damages to the hotel's second floor.
- A police officer sustained a shoulder injury while attempting to arrest the man and required hospitalization.
- Stanley faces four charges, including two felonies for criminal mischief and possessing contraband in jail. His bond has been set at $15,000.
Hotel Evacuated After Alarm and Vandalism
The incident began on the evening of October 2 when the fire alarm at the Bettendorf Marriott Courtyard was activated, forcing all guests and staff to evacuate the building. Upon investigation, the source of the alarm was traced to the second floor, where a chaotic scene was discovered.
According to official reports, Gary Clark Stanley was found naked and running through the second-floor hallway. He had reportedly discharged two fire extinguishers, covering the area in chemical residue. The situation was further complicated by the presence of blood.
Investigators noted that Stanley had sustained cuts to his hands. Blood was found smeared on walls, guest room doors, and windows along the corridor. The combined damage from the fire extinguisher discharge and the biohazard cleanup was estimated by authorities to be around $25,000.
Understanding Property Damage Charges
In many jurisdictions, the value of the property damaged determines the severity of the charge. Damages exceeding a certain threshold, often a few thousand dollars, can elevate a misdemeanor vandalism charge to a felony-level offense like criminal mischief, which carries significantly more severe penalties, including potential prison time.
Police Officer Injured During Arrest
When Bettendorf police officers arrived at the hotel, they encountered Stanley, who reportedly resisted arrest. According to the police account, he actively pulled his arms underneath his torso to prevent officers from handcuffing him.
During the struggle to secure the suspect, one officer sustained a shoulder injury that was serious enough to require hospitalization. This action led to an additional charge against Stanley for interference with official acts causing injury.
"The suspect's resistance was significant, leading directly to an officer being injured in the line of duty," a source familiar with the police report stated. "The situation required considerable effort to bring under control safely."
The resistance allegedly continued after he was placed in a police vehicle. Reports indicate that Stanley began kicking at the back windows of the squad car, prompting officers to place him in a full body restraint to prevent further harm to himself or damage to the vehicle.
Cocaine Discovery Leads to Felony Charges
Following his transport to the local detention facility, Stanley underwent a standard intake search. During this process, staff discovered a small plastic bag concealed in his sock. The bag contained 1.69 grams of a white powder.
A field test was conducted on the substance, which returned a positive result for cocaine. This discovery led to a felony charge of furnishing or possessing contraband in a correctional facility, one of the most serious offenses from the incident.
Charges Filed Against the Suspect
- First-Degree Criminal Mischief: A felony charge related to the extensive property damage estimated at $25,000.
- Possessing Contraband in Jail: A felony for bringing illegal drugs into a correctional facility.
- Interference with Official Acts Causing Injury: A misdemeanor related to the officer's shoulder injury during the arrest.
- Disorderly Conduct: A misdemeanor for causing a public disturbance.
Legal Proceedings and Bail
Gary Clark Stanley was formally charged with the four offenses. A judge set his bond at $15,000, cash only, meaning the full amount must be paid for his release pending trial, without the option of using a bail bondsman for a percentage.
The combination of felony and misdemeanor charges reflects the multifaceted nature of the incident, which involved property destruction, public disruption, assault on a law enforcement officer, and the possession of illegal narcotics within a secure facility.
The hotel was able to resume normal operations after a significant cleanup effort on the affected floor. The incident caused considerable disruption for guests who were forced to evacuate and wait for the scene to be cleared by emergency services.
