MASON CITY — A Mason City woman who recently pleaded guilty in two separate assault cases was nabbed by police after an officer found her incapacitated near McNider Campground, according to police and court records.
Brianna Lynne Varnes was arrested at about 2:19 a.m. on May 22, 2026, after an officer noticed her sitting on a sidewalk near McNider Campground, in the area of 901 Birch Drive in Mason City.
Police said Varnes appeared to be intoxicated. Officers checked on her and found that she had a valid local warrant for her arrest.
Varnes was arrested on the warrant and also charged with public intoxication, first offense. During a search after the arrest, officers found suspected cocaine in her bag, police said.
She was then charged with possession of a controlled substance, first offense, and taken to jail.
The new arrest came shortly after Varnes resolved two assault cases in Cerro Gordo County court.
On May 13, 2026, Varnes pleaded guilty to assault — general in a Mason City Police Department case stemming from an April 11, 2026, offense. She was ordered to pay a $105 fine.
In a separate case, Varnes pleaded guilty on April 15, 2026, to assault — general. That case began as a charge of assault on persons in certain occupations, an aggravated misdemeanor, tied to a November 21, 2025, offense. As part of the court disposition, the adjudicated charge was assault — general, a simple misdemeanor. She was also ordered to pay a $105 fine in that case.
The latest case against Varnes includes accusations of possession of a controlled substance, failure to appear and public intoxication.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.