Lang
8/12/22
A pair of Iowa City armed robbery suspects has entered not guilty pleas.
Online court records show 31-year-old Joey Smith Jr. and 29-year-old Marcia Smith-Buckhalter entered the pleas earlier this week. Iowa City Police say on the evening of July 19th Smith-Buckhalter arranged for the victim to come to her and Smith’s Shamrock Place residence to smoke marijuana. When the victim arrived, Smith allegedly pointed a black gun at his head and demanded that he remove his personal belongings. Smith then escorted the man out of the residence.
Once the man was outside, Smith reportedly fired one shot at the victim and told him to never come back.
Officers executed a search warrant at the couple’s residence and located a black .380 Smith & Wesson handgun, along with several of the victim’s belongings scattered or hidden inside.
Smith is a convicted felon and therefore ineligible to own or possess a weapon.
Smith and Smith-Buckhalter are each charged with 1st Degree Robbery, while Smith faces additional charges of Going Armed With Intent, Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, and Dominion or Control of a Firearm as a Felon.
If convicted, Smith faces a prison sentence of up to 45 years. Smith-Buckhalter could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.