BENTONVILLE -- A Gentry man was sentenced to 28 years in prison after pleading guilty to several felonies, including breaking into an apartment and shooting through a bedroom door.
Tyler James Ivey, 24, 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, Class D felonies; and theft of property, a Class A misdemeanor.
The plea agreement was reached by A.J. Anglin, deputy prosecutor, with attorney Jay Saxton.
Ivey was arrested Aug. 23.
He said he had been smoking methamphetamine for several days and spent the night with Michael Hunley, a friend, at his Central Pointe apartment in Siloam Springs, according to Anglin.
Ivey burglarized two nearby apartments at the complex Aug. 23. He stole a Ruger .357 Magnum revolver and a large knife, Anglin said. Ivey also stole several items from another apartment, Anglin said.
Hunley was awakened at 11 a.m. Aug. 23 by Ivey knocking on the front door. Ivey had a gun and was screaming. Hunley didn't open the front door.
Ivey fired a shot in the air, and he later got into the kitchen after breaking a window.
Hunley, along with Siena Copeland and their 2-year-old child, hid in an upstairs bedroom, Anglin said. Ivey attempted to get into the bedroom by kicking the door. Copeland called 911 while Hunley held the door shut. Ivey fired one shot through the bedroom door, nearly striking Hunley. He fired another shot into the hallway ceiling, Anglin said.
Hunley opened the door and tackled Ivey in the hallway. That allowed Copeland to get out of the apartment with the child, according to Anglin.
Police arrived and arrested Ivey, who had a large knife in a sheath sticking out the front left pocket of his shorts. Police found the stolen gun in the apartment, Anglin said.
Circuit Judge Brad Karren accepted the plea agreement and Ivey's guilty pleas.
Ivey was sentenced to 28 years in prison for the Class Y felony. He will have to serve at least seven years before he's eligible for parole. He must also abide by a suspended-sentence agreement for 10 years. Ivey was ordered not to have any contact with Hunley and Copeland.
NW News on 06/19/2014