Osage middle school principal charged with OWI in Charles City

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com 

An Osage Community School District administrator was arrested and charged with OWI on Saturday in Charles City.

Jay Dean Marley, age 42, the principal at Osage Middle School, was pulled over at 11:21 p.m. for an alleged turning violation, according to the Charles City Police Department.

Marley “had the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him,” according to a report filed in Floyd County District Court. The report said it was determined through field sobriety tests and DataMaster breath alcohol testing that Marley was over the legal alcohol limit to be operating a vehicle.

The breath-alcohol analyzer showed he had a blood alcohol level of 0.152 percent, the report said. The legal limit in Iowa is 0.08 percent.

Marley was charged with operating while intoxicated, first offense, a serious misdemeanor, and received a traffic citation for a turning-at-an-intersection violation.

Marley was released on his own recognizance. He must obtain a substance abuse evaluation at a licensed agency and successfully complete any recommendations for treatment, according to the terms of the initial appearance release.

A preliminary appearance hearing was waived on Tuesday by Marley’s attorney, Robert Rehkemper of West Des Moines, who entered a not-guilty plea on Marley’s behalf.

Osage Superintendent Barb Schwamman said in an email to school district parents that the district was following its procedures and Marley had been placed on paid administrative leave. Another school administrator would assume his duties, she said.