Gentry man sentenced for aggravated burglary, aggravated assault

A Gentry man was sentenced to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to several felony offenses which included breaking into a apartment shooting through the door of a bedroom.

Tyler James Ivey, 21, pleaded guilty Tuesday to aggravated residential burglary, a Class Y felony; two counts of residential burglary, a Class B felony; theft of property and aggravated assault, both Classs D felonies; and theft of property, a Class A misdemeanor.

Ivey was arrested Aug. 23, 2013.

According to Anglin, Ivey had been smoking methamphetamine for several consecutive days and he spent the night on Aug. 23 with a friend, Michael Hunley, at his apartment at Central Pointe in Siloam Springs.

Ivey burglarized two nearby apartments at the complex and stole a Ruger .357 Magnum revolver and a large knife, Anglin said. Ivey also stole several items from another apartment, Anglin said.

Anglin said Hunley was awakened at 11 a.m. Aug. 23 by Ivey’s knocking on the front door with a gun in his hand and Ivey was also screaming at him, but Hunley did not open the front door.

Ivey fired a shot in the air from the stolen gun and he was later able to get into the kitchen after breaking a window, according to court documents.

Hunley, along with Siena Copeland and their 2-year-old child hid in an upstairs bedroom, according to Anglin. Anglin said Ivey then attempted to get into the bedroom by repeatedly kicking the door.

Copeland called 911 while Hunley held to door shut, Anglin said. According to Anglin, Ivey fired one shot through the bedroom door nearly striking Hunley and he fired another shot up into the hallway ceiling.

Hunley opened the door and tackled Ivey and he was arrested when police arrived, Anglin said.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren accepted the plea agreement and Ivey’s guilty pleas.

Ivey was sentenced to 28 years in the prison for the Class Y felony. He will have to serve at least 7 years before he is eligible for parole.

He must also abide by a suspended sentence agreement for 10 years.

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