Suspect pleads not guilty in Sikeston kidnapping case

BENTON, Mo. -- One of four suspects in a Sikeston, Mo., kidnapping waived arraignment Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to charges of felonious restraint and second-degree assault.

Cody James McRoy, 19, of Sikeston is accused of kicking and punching a man who claims he was kidnapped and beaten last month, according to court documents.

Three other suspects -- Andrew T. Robinett, 26; Ashley A. Ivie, 20; and Bryce A. Western, 18, all of Sikeston -- face charges of assault, kidnapping, felonious restraint and unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the case.

The victim did not mention McRoy's involvement at the time he reported the kidnapping because he believed McRoy had no choice in the matter and was coerced into participating in the assault, according to a probable-cause affidavit filed by deputy Garrett Cook.

Probable-cause affidavits filed by Detective Jeff Schmitt against the other suspects said the victim told officers he had stepped outside his Sikeston home to smoke a cigarette when Robinett and Western grabbed him, forced him into a Chevy Malibu driven by Ivie and took him to Ivie's home in Sikeston, where they kicked, hit, scratched and choked him until he lost consciousness.

The victim told officers that when he regained consciousness, Robinett threatened him with a pistol and told him "if he did not get his money he was going to kill him," Schmitt wrote.

The victim eventually escaped by convincing them to take him home so he could get money, Schmitt wrote.

In his affidavit, Cook wrote that McRoy said he was at Ivie's house when she and the other suspects left, and he admitted kicking and punching the victim because he was afraid Robinett would assault him if he didn't.

Outside the courtroom Tuesday, McRoy declined to comment on the case.

A preliminary hearing for McRoy is set for 1 p.m. Aug. 20.

Preliminary hearings for Robinett, Western and Ivie are scheduled for 2 p.m. Aug. 21 in Scott County.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, MO

Benton, MO