Two people arrested in Iowa City on robbery charges

IOWA CITY — Two people were arrested Tuesday on charges that they invited a man to their Iowa City residence to smoke marijuana and then robbed him at gunpoint.

Marcia Renae Smith Buckhalter, 29, arranged for the man to come to 3503 Shamrock Place on Tuesday evening, according to criminal complaints.

Joey Smith Jr., 31, pointed a gun at the man and demanded he remove personal belongings. Smith escorted the man out of the residence, fired a single shot at him and told him never to come back, the complaints state.

Police found a gun and several of the man’s belongings while executing a search warrant at the house.

Buckhalter is charged with first-degree robbery. Smith is charged with first-degree robbery, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, going armed with intent and felon in possession of a firearm.

Both had their initial appearances in court Wednesday and are being held in the Johnson County Jail. Buckhalter is held on a $25,000 bond, and Smith on a $45,000 bond.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com