Lake Mills man in standoff receives 2 years of probation
Published 9:51 am Wednesday, June 25, 2014
NORTHWOOD — A rural Lake Mills man arrested in January after a standoff with police at his home was sentenced on Monday to two years of probation and a suspended prison sentence.
Matthew Thomas James Davis
If Matthew Thomas James Davis, 21, violates his probation, he could face two years in prison.
Davis pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor, tied to the incident on Jan. 30. He initially faced a charge of attempted murder, a felony.
Worth County Attorney Jeffrey Greve said law enforcement agreed with the outcome.
“The biggest concern was getting firearms out of his hands,” Greve said.
Under the sentencing, Davis will not be able to own or possess guns indefinitely.
Worth County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Davis’ home at 4573 Apple Ave., a rural Lake Mills residence, after receiving a 911 call that Davis was suicidal and had cut himself.
As they approached the house, Davis shot at them. The deputies returned fire and took cover, calling for backup, leading to a standoff that lasted 4 1/2 hours. A SWAT team and law enforcement from the Iowa State Patrol and Lake Mills Police Department also responded.
The standoff ended with Davis walking out of the home voluntarily. He was taken into custody and flown to Mercy Medical Center in Mason City for self-inflicted wounds.
