Charge dropped against Iowa Sen. Adrian Dickey, arrested during bike ride

DES MOINES — An Iowa prosecutor has dropped a misdemeanor charge against a state senator who was arrested in July and accused of refusing a police request to move off a roadway that was blocked during an annual bike ride across the state.

WHO-TV reported Monday that Sac County prosecutors were granted a motion to dismiss the charge against Republican Sen. Adrian Dickey of Packwood. He was originally charged with interference with official acts after allegedly refusing to move out of a roadway when asked by a police officer.

In a filing, Sac County Attorney Benjamin John Smith wrote that prosecutors now believe “there is not enough evidence to prove this matter beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Dickey agreed to pay court costs.

Dickey said in a statement that he was simply walking his bike on a gravel road trying to get back to the bike trail. His lawyer previously said that Dickey came upon hundreds of people blocking the road, but he was not part of that group.

The arrest happened during RAGBRAI, an annual bike ride across Iowa.

"It was a total misunderstanding and I was innocent," said Dickey in a statement released Monday. "It is typical of today’s news outlets to pile on and assume someone's guilt without knowing all of the facts. The truth is it would not have been easy to be a law enforcement officer on that hot day. I was not drinking and I was not a part of the party that was taking place. I was only walking my bike on this short part of a gravel road attempting to get on the bike trail."

Dickey said the incident has not changed his support for law enforcement.

"In 50 years, I have never been arrested,“ he said. ”I appreciate the Sac County Attorney for correcting this and restoring my reputation. I have always been a huge supporter of law enforcement and I continue to back the blue today. I look forward to championing the efforts of the men and women who protect our communities."

  Buy Photo