Lang
2/9/24
A sentencing date has been set for an Iowa City arson suspect.
Court records show Judge Chad Kepros set a date of March 4th to hear a plea from and sentence 40-year-old Ashley Bunting of Maggard Street. Bunting faces charges of 2nd Degree Arson and Staking Using a Technological Device after she allegedly tried to set a truck on fire on the 1600 block of Aber Avenue last August over child custody issues with the vehicle’s owner. If convicted on both charges, Bunting faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Bunting is also accused of violating a no-contact order in the case in November and early December after she allegedly tried to cancel her son’s medical insurance and cancel a doctor’s appointment for him at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Police say she later sent multiple threatening text messages to one of her sons while he was at City High School. Bunting allegedly said she was going to kill the teen’s little brother, and that it was going to happen that day. Bunting was arrested and charged with 1st Degree Harassment. Arraignment in that case is set for Monday.
Last November, Bunting allegedly intentionally punctured the tires of the truck she is accused of earlier setting on fire. A case management conference for a 4th Degree Criminal Mischief charge is set for February 26th.
Online records show Bunting was released from the Johnson County Jail just before 4:00 Friday afternoon.