Man gets probation for slashing Ball State tires

MUNCIE, Ind. - A Muncie man who pleaded guilty to criminal mischief for slashing the tires on dozens of vehicles owned by Ball State University has been sentenced to two years of probation.

A Delaware Circuit Court judge last week also ordered 38-year-old Brian R. Huckelby to pay Ball State more than $7,800 in restitution for slashing 67 tires on school-owned vehicles in May 2009.

Huckelby was originally charged with institutional criminal mischief, a Class C felony, but his plea agreement reduced that charge to a Class D felony.

The Star Press reports Buckley's attorney, Lon Bryan, characterized his client's actions as "an act of retaliation."

A police report suggested Huckelby was angry because school authorities placed a wheel clamp on his vehicle following an alleged parking violation.