Nashua man gets probation for Charles City assault

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Nashua man charged with felony assault for punching a man and chipping the man’s teeth in a Charles City bar, was sentenced Monday to 3 to 5 years of probation.

Ryan John Demro was charged with willful injury resulting in serious injury, a Class C felony, for striking a man four times in the face, knocking him out, chipping three teeth and causing a black eye. The incident occurred Nov. 22, 2018, in the 700 block of Riverside Drive.

According to a report by the Charles City Police Department, Demro was asked to leave the business after “grabbing a female subject’s bottom,” then he assaulted the other man.

Demro pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of assault causing serious injury, a Class C felony.

District Court Judge DeDra Schroeder told Demro Monday in Floyd County District Court that she agreed with the sentencing recommendation of the County Attorney’s Office, as well as a pre-sentencing investigation.

She sentenced Demro to up to 5 years in prison, suspended; a $750 fine and 35% surcharge, suspended; three to five years probation; to follow the recommendation of a substance abuse evaluation; to undertake a mental health evaluation; and to not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs during the term of probation.

Schroeder also set a 30-day period for the County Attorney’s Office to file a figure for restitution.

Demro’s attorney, Kevin Engels of Cedar Falls, said it was their understanding that there was about $8,000 in dental bills for the victim, and Demro accepted responsibility to pay that.