Lang
3/4/23
An Iowa City robbery suspect has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.
Court records show 32-year-old Joey Smith Jr. agreed to a plea deal on Friday.
Iowa City Police say on the evening of July 19th, 2022 30-year-old Marcia 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 and fired a shot in his direction.
Officers executed a search warrant at the couple’s residence and report locating 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-Buckhalter was given a deferred judgement and two years of probation on a charge of Transferring a Firearm to an Ineligible Person. The robbery charge and a drug charge were dropped.
Smith was charged with 1st Degree Robbery, Going Armed With Intent, Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, and Dominion or Control of a Firearm as a Felon. If convicted, Smith would have faced a prison sentence of up to 45 years.
Terms of the plea deal have not been released. Sentencing is set for May 1st.