Matthew Overmyer, co-owner of the infamous O'Face Bar in Council Bluffs, Iowa, earned national attention after appearing on Spike TV's reality series Bar Rescue. His subsequent legal troubles, arrest, and incarceration turned the reality TV fallout into a real-world criminal case. Viewers and true-crime followers often search for the timeline of his legal issues, the details of the charges, and how the infamous TV episode foreshadowed the structural failures behind the scenes.
The reality television genre often courts controversy, but few episodes captured a breakdown as intense as the O'Face Bar installment. Host Jon Taffer famously walked out on the establishment after facing aggressive pushback from the owners, Matthew and Karen Overmyer. Years later, public interest surged back as news broke regarding Matthew Overmyer's criminal charges, guilty plea, and subsequent jail time.
The Bar Rescue Context and Immediate Fallout
Back in 2013, O'Face Bar featured on Bar Rescue in an episode that showcased intense hostility from the management. Karen Overmyer clashed openly with customers and production crew members, while Matthew Overmyer remained a central figure in the failing business. Unlike most episodes where Taffer successfully renovates a venue, this installment ended with the host refusing to complete the rescue, citing toxic ownership and a complete resistance to professional standards.
The exposure brought localized fame, but it also placed the business under intense public scrutiny. Local patrons and community members watched closely as the bar struggled to maintain operations in Council Bluffs. The underlying friction documented on screen turned out to be a precursor to deeper personal and legal fractures within the ownership.
Arrest, Charges, and Guilty Plea
In February 2016, Matthew Overmyer faced severe criminal allegations when he was arrested and charged with sexual assault involving a female employee. Court documents revealed that the incident took place while his co-owner and wife was out of town. Law enforcement and prosecutors built a case that moved swiftly through the Iowa judicial system.
By October 2016, Matthew Overmyer pleaded guilty to amended charges of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. The legal consequences included:
- A 90-day jail sentence served locally.
- Two years of formal probation.
- Mandatory enrollment in a specialized sex offender treatment program.
- A strict five-year no-contact order protecting the victim.
- Lifetime registration as a sex offender.
- Financial restitution ordered to cover victim counseling expenses.
Probation Violations and Subsequent Incarceration
A conviction is only part of the record; compliance with terms dictates the rest. In April 2017, Matthew Overmyer violated the strict conditions of his release. Authorities arrested him for failing to register as a sex offender, a direct violation of his probation mandates.
This technical violation landed him back behind bars, turning a suspended sentence threat into active enforcement. The repeated legal infractions effectively sealed the fate of the bar and removed Overmyer from public business life in Iowa. Local licensing boards and city councils subsequently scrutinized the establishment's right to operate, leading to long-term closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Matthew Overmyer convicted of?
He pleaded guilty to amended charges of assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. The conviction required him to register as a sex offender and serve a jail sentence alongside probation.
Did the crime happen during the filming of Bar Rescue?
No. The Bar Rescue episode aired years prior to the 2016 arrest. The criminal incident occurred later, though it involved an individual connected to the establishment.
Is O'Face Bar still open?
No. Following the negative publicity, legal fallout, and disputes over local liquor licenses, the bar permanently closed its doors.
Where is Matthew Overmyer now?
Public records indicate that following his legal trials and time served in Iowa, he relocated out of state, maintaining a low profile away from the public eye.
