Federal prosecutors are investigating the assault case against a man accused of splashing water on U.S. Rep. Steve King.

The Webster County court proceedings for Blake Gibbins' disorderly conduct and assault charges have been suspended, less than a week before his jury trial was set to begin, according to online court records.

The Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa informed Webster County's Attorney Darren Driscoll that Gibbins could be charged with the federal crime of assaulting a congressman, according to records filed April 18.

"Under that federal statute, that means (the state) case needs to be put on hold until the federal case is resolved," Driscoll said Thursday. He said he cannot comment on what will happen after any federal prosecution.

Tony Morfitt, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Peter Deegan's office, said that federal investigators are looking at the case, but that no charges have been filed. He declined to provide a timetable for the investigation.

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Gibbins is accused of approaching King, a Republican from Kiron, as he ate lunch last month in Fort Dodge and dumping a cup of water on the congressman, splashing another person in the process.

The 26-year-old Iowa native could face up to a year in prison on the federal charge. Gibbins, who now lives in Colorado, was previously charged in Webster County District Court with two counts of assault and disorderly conduct, all misdemeanors. A simple assault conviction comes with a maximum 30-day jail stay along with fines.

He pleaded not guilty to those charges and requested a change of venue in the case, court records show. The jury trial had been slated to begin April 30.

Fort Dodge police said they believed King, 69, was targeted March 22 because of his role as a congressman. Gibbins did not know King was going to be at the restaurant, police say, and was in Iowa visiting family.

A GoFundMe online fundraiser was created the same day Gibbins was arrested and raised thousands of dollars for his defense costs.

King's Washington office has not responded to multiple calls and email requests for comment.

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