By SYDNEY KENT
A Uniondale man was sentenced to nine years at the Indiana Department of Corrections at the Wells Circuit Court on Wednesday in connection to a burglary.
Tony Lee Haney, 28, was charged with burglary, a Level 4 felony, after he allegedly broke into the home of a neighbor while she was out of town in Sept. 2021. According to a probable cause affidavit, the woman’s Ring doorbell camera alerted her to movement inside of the house while she was out of town. The woman installed the video surveillance system after noticing money missing from her home over the course of several months.
Prosecutor Colin Andrews drew attention to Haney’s ongoing criminal history, mental health, and struggles with addiction. While out on bond for this case, Haney was charged with unlawful possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony, resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor, and possession of paraphernalia, a Class B misdemeanor, in Allen County.
Andrews explained probation may not be an appropriate part of the sentence due to Haney’s lengthy ongoing criminal activity. Haney has prior charges for multiple probation violations, disorderly conduct, resisting law enforcement, burglary, theft, burglary resulting in bodily injury, possession of a synthetic drug, and possession of paraphernalia. This is not a complete list.
In 2014, Haney was arrested for conspiracy to commit theft and corrupt business influence along with Elizabeth Haney and Gary Haney. Judge Kenton Kiracofe took this into consideration during the hearing.
“You and your family have been a menace to the Uniondale community for many years,” Kiracofe began. “You have been all over breaking into homes. Your family is not a stranger to this court for sure. I share probations concerns, it’s just not appropriate.”
Kiracofe noted that while Haney has not earned the right to probation, he understands supervision is needed upon Haney’s return to the community.
“Probation could keep an eye on his behavior when he gets out,” Larry Mock, Haney’s public defender, offered. “If he keeps it on the straight and narrow – great. If not, there will be consequences.”
Court records state Haney noticed the camera system during the burglary and quickly hid his face. An officer involved in previous cases with Haney compared a screen capture from the footage and a prior mugshot to confirm his identity. A Walmart gift card and $60 in cash were missing from the woman’s wallet.
Haney was also ordered to serve two years of probation upon his release from incarceration and court costs and filing fees in the amount of $1,429. One charge for theft with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony, was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. No restitution was ordered.
sydney@news-banner.com
