Jackson County to serve 25 years for burglary, assault

A Jackson County man will serve 25 years in prison after his conviction on a charge of burglary with intent to assault.

District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath said 25-year-old Tommy Tien Vu was convicted Tuesday evening after a jury deliberated less than 30 minutes. He also was convicted of domestic violence.

He was sentenced as a habitual offender and as such, will not be eligible for early release or parole.

At trial, deputies said they responded to a 911 call from a child about a burglary in progress. Deputies found the front door kicked open and Vu was inside the apartment of his ex-girlfriend and their two children.

Vu, who had taken the victim’s phone, tried to assault the victim and her new boyfriend. The child made the 911 call from another phone.

“This was undoubtedly a terrifying situation that could have been much worse but for the quick thinking of a child and the swift response from the Jackson County sheriff’s deputies,” McIlrath said. “I hope that this conviction and Judge (Keith) Miller’s maximum sentence gives the victim peace of mind knowing that her abuser will be away for a very long time.”