SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - A Springfield woman could get a 10-year prison sentencing for threatening boys who rang her doorbell and ran away.
Prosecutors say 32-year-old Ashley Crossland pleaded guilty on Feb. 17 to burglary, assault and unlawful use of a weapon after becoming angry because of a January 2014 prank. A probable cause statement said Crossland tried to run one boy down with her van and punched another three times while holding a knife to his chest.
She was also charged with going to the home where the boys were having a sleepover and illegally entering the home.
One of the boys reportedly told police Crossland came out of her home and began yelling at them as they ran away after they rang her doorbell. The boy said after he turned a corner, he saw a van "driving crazy."
Probable cause documents said the van tried to run the boy over, and backed him up against a fence. Crossland got out of the car and told him to get in or she would cut him. Once the boy entered the van, Crossland pointed a type of hunting knife at him. The boy said Crossland used several racial slurs and "told him she was going to murder him and slit his throat and his family's throats."
The boy then showed Crossland where he and his friends were having a sleepover.
When confronted by one of the boys' father, Crossland allegedly threatened the people inside the home.
Crossland left the house, but continued to make threats as she was leaving. The man then contacted the police.
The plea deal recommends a 10-year prison sentence but a judge will decide May 15 whether Crossland will be eligible for the lesser sentence.