Joplin Police arrest five juveniles, recover 19 stolen vehicles

 

(From the Joplin Police Department)

Since August of 2026, the Joplin Police Department has been responding to an alarming number of vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles. Joplin Police Officers and Detectives discovered that the majority of these reports involved Kia and Hyundai vehicles that hadm been manufactured between the years of 2005-2018. 

Since the start of the reports, the Joplin Police Department has responded to 20 motor vehicle thefts and 22 thefts from vehicles involving the above-mentioned model vehicles since mid-August. 

Noticing this was a trending crime, the Joplin Police Department began a more thorough review.

The Joplin Police Department Flex Platoon was assigned to investigate these thefts.

During this investigation, primary suspects were developed and identified. The suspects were found to be juveniles who live in Joplin. Flex Detectives further learned that the juveniles had stolen firearms left in unoccupied vehicles they had broken into. 

Evidence was obtained that suggested that the firearms were recklessly used and discharged by the juveniles during the commission of those crimes. No injuries were reported because of the gunfire.

In late September of 2026, Joplin Patrol Officers located and arrested three juveniles in two separate incidents involving stolen vehicles. In one of the incidents, a stolen vehicle was occupied by two juvenile suspects. 

When officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, it fled resulting in the stolen vehicle crashing into a parked car near the intersection of 8th and Grand. Both juveniles then fled the scene on foot and were taken into custody a short distance away. 

In the second incident, a stolen vehicle was stopped for traffic violations near 7th Street and Geneva, the juvenile driver was taken into custody without incident.Police Department Flex Detectives continued to work closely with patrol officers during the ongoing investigation. 

As additional evidence and information were acquired, detectives were able to obtain three search warrants for residences believed to be involved with these vehicle thefts. 

On October 1, 2026, the Joplin officers and Investigators served these search warrants.

When the search warrants were served, two stolen firearms were recovered along with ammunition. Marijuana, drug paraphernalia, tools used to break into vehicles, and miscellaneous vehicle ignition parts were located during the searches. 

Additionally, a 2016 Kia Soul that had been stolen the night before was also recovered at one of the
residences. As a result of this investigation, a total of five juveniles with age ranges from thirteen to sixteen have been taken into custody in conjunction with the reported thefts and were transported to the Jasper County Juvenile Detention Center. Charges for 2nd Degree Burglary and stealing were submitted to the Jasper County Juvenile Prosecutor. Additional charges may be considered as the investigation continues.

Nineteen of the twenty vehicles stolen during the time frame have been recovered.

The Joplin Police Department wants to thank the Jasper County Juvenile Office for their continued partnership with helping make the Joplin community safer.

To help reduce the chances of being a victim, the Joplin Police Department wants to remind citizens to securely lock and remove all loose items from parked vehicles, especially firearms. Additionally, if you have a Kia or Hyundai vehicle that was manufactured during the years 2005-2018, it is also recommended that a steering wheel locking mechanism be utilized when the vehicle remains unattended.

Joplin man charged with fentanyl, meth trafficking

A Joplin man was charged with drug trafficking and delivering a controlled substance following a Joplin Police Department traffic stop Sunday near the Super 7 Inn on Range Line.

Tyler Dean Walton (DOB 1991) is being held in the Jasper County Detention Center with bond set at $50,000, cash or surety.

From the probable cause statement:

On October 4th, 2026, at approximately 1130 Hours, I, Officer Adel was conducting a Directed Patrol
in the area of 3031 S Range Line Rd (Super 7 Inn).

While conducting this directed patrol, I observed a 2013 Black Chevrolet Equinox drive through the
parking lot of the above address and turn Northbound onto Range line Rd. I immediately recognized
the driver as Shawanda Clark who I knew to be a revoked driver. The vehicle also had a cracked
windshield. 

I got behind the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle immediately pulled over into 2601 S Range Line which is a vacant lot. I made contact with Shawanda and she was arrested for driving while revoked. I intended to conduct a tow inventory of the vehicle and began to pull the other
passengers out. I located a small baggie on the front seat passenger which I suspected to be. Methamphetamine and a cracked glass pipe with burn marks after he consented to a search of his person.

Tyler Walton was a back seat passenger who was initially holding a black duffel bag. After Tyler was
removed, this bag was left in the vehicle and searched along with the rest of the vehicle after probable
cause was established. A cut straw with white crystal residue was located in the bag. Tyler was arrested
for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and search incident to arrest a glass pipe with burn
marks was located stuffed into his waist band.

In the trunk of the vehicle was a black backpack. In the front zipper pocket, a brown drawstring bag was located. Inside of the bag were three separate dime baggies containing a brown powder substance.

The baggies individually weighed 1.16 grams, 0.27 grams, and 0.22 grams in theiroriginal packaging for a combined weight of 1.65 grams. This substance was later tested using a test kit and showed
positive for Fentanyl.

Also inside of the drawstring bag was a tightly wrapped plastic wrapper which contained a clear crystal substance. This substance weighed 6.07 grams in its original packaging and later tested positive for Methamphetamine using the TRUNARC Device. 

Over a hundred dime baggies, a scale with crystal residue on it and a syringe were also in the drawstring bag.

A loaded syringe containing 30 mL of a brown substance was located and later tested positive for
Methamphetamine using a testing kit.

Video footage showed Tyler being picked up from the Super 7. When he was picked up, he could be seen on the footage carrying the black duffel bag and the backpack out of the motel room seen on the footage carrying the black duffel bag and the backpack out of the motel room before placing he bags into the car.

Joplin woman charged with DWI, meth possession, child endangerment

 

The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office charged a Joplin woman with driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a child following a Highway Patrol traffic stop Sunday.

The arraignment for Chlicia D. Diehn (DOB 1990) is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in Jasper County Circuit Court in Joplin.

From the probable cause statement:

On October 4th, 2026, at approximately 1536 hours, Troop D Radio Operators advised of a single vehicle crash on County Road Garrison Avenue, north of Sunflower Lane, in Jasper County, Missouri. I began responding to the area to investigate the motor vehicle crash.

At approximately 1539 hours, I arrived on scene and observed a silver Toyota Camry at final rest in the ditch on the east side of County Road Garrison Avenue. I could also observe dark, heavy skid marks on the roadway left by the Toyota. 

Based on the skid marks, it appeared the driver of the Toyota failed to negotiate a sharp left curve in the
roadway and lost control of the vehicle, causing it to do a 180-degree spin in the roadway before it ran off the roadway and came to an uncontrolled rest in the ditch.

After examining the Toyota, I contacted the driver, later identified as Chlicia D. Diehn, who was standing in a nearby yard holding her infant son. I asked Diehn what happened, and she advised she was traveling northbound on Garrison Avenue when the Toyota began shaking, causing her to lose control of the vehicle and run off the roadway. 

I asked Diehn if there was anybody else inside the Toyota at the time of the crash, and she advised there was not. Diehn advised it was it was just her and her infant son in the Toyota when the crash occurred. I began gathering necessary information from Diehn to complete a uniform crash report.

While speaking with Diehn outside, I began smelling the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her breath. I also noticed Diehn's eyes were bloodshot. I asked Diehn if she had consumed any alcohol today, and she advised she had not. I requested Diehn perform field sobriety testing to check her level of sobriety, which she agreed to do. I asked Diehn if she had any previous head or eye injuries or was wearing prescription contact lenses. Diehn advised she did not have any previous head or eye injuries and was not wearing prescription contact lenses.

While administering the horizontal gaze nystagmus test standing, I noticed Diehn's pupils were of equal sizes and her eyes tracked equally. I observed lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and the onset of nystagmus prior to forty-five degrees, in both eyes. I also observed vertical gaze nystagmus in both eyes.

I requested Diehn provide a preliminary breath sample, which she agreed to do. Iinstructed Diehn how to properly provide an adequate breath sample, however, when administering the preliminary breath test, Diehn failed to follow my instructions. 

On the third attempt to obtain a preliminary breath sample, I was able to manually capture a partial breath instructions. On the third attempt to obtain a preliminary breath sample, I was able to manually capture a partial breath sample which revealed a positive indication of alcohol, .196%.

Based on my observations of Diehn, her performance on field sobriety testing, the evidence from the vehicle crash, and the totality of the circumstances, I believed she was intoxicated. At approximately 1553 hours, I placed Diehn under arrest for driving while intoxicated and secured her into the front passenger seat of my patrol car. At approximately 1601

arrest for driving while intoxicated and secured her into the front passenger seat of my patrol car. At approximately 1601 hours, I informed Diehn of her Constitutional Rights per the Miranda Warning, when asked if she understood her Rights, she advised she did.

The Toyota was removed from the ditch by a local tow company. A search of the Toyota incident to arrest revealed a small plastic baggie containing a clear crystal-like substance. This plastic baggie was located under a blanket on the driver seat where Diehn had been sitting. I knew from my training and experience this clear plastic baggie contained methamphetamine, a schedule two controlled substance. The plastic baggie containing the methamphetamine was secured into my patrol car as evidence.

At approximately 1623 hours, I read Diehn Missouri's Implied Consent Law and requested she submit to a chemical test of her breath. Diehn agreed to submit to a chemical test of her breath. I began transporting Diehn to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Satellite Office to administer a breath test. The Toyota was towed from the scene by a local tow company and secured into their secure tow lot. The infant male was transported from the scene by a Trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol to his Grandparents house in Joplin, Missouri.

Upon our arrival at the Satellite Office, I administered a breath test to Diehn which revealed her blood alcohol content to be .204%. 

Carthage man sentenced to four years on weapons charge

 Jeromy Michael Daughtery, 32, Carthage, was sentenced to four years in prison today during a hearing in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

Daughtery was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm following a September 2025 traffic stop by the Carthage Police Department when he failed to signal riding a bicycle.

He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and resisting arrest in Jasper County. The federal sentence will run concurrently with any Jasper County sentence.

Guatemalan national who accidentally shot his finger off sentenced to 20 months

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A Guatemalan national illegally residing in the Taney County, Missouri area, was sentenced today in federal court for one count of Illegal Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Immigrant, and Illegal Entry into the United States.

Edilberto Gonzalez-Barrera, 40, was sentenced today before District Court Judge Douglas Harpool for the offense of an illegal immigrant in possession of a firearm and illegally entering the United States. Gonzalez-Barrera was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and one year of post release supervision, and will be deported to his native country of Guatemala immediately upon his release from prison. 

On March 29, 2026, officers with the Branson, Missouri Police Department responded to Cox Hospital in Branson, in response to a male who had come into the hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound. Officers learned that Mr. Gonzalez-Barrera, an individual who illegally entered the United States, had possessed a firearm, and as he was cleaning the firearm, it accidentally discharged, shooting the lower end of one of his fingers off. 

 Upon determining that Mr. Gonzalez-Barrera was illegally within the United States, local law enforcement contacted agents with the Department of Homeland Security – Immigration Customs Enforcement. Agents responded and determined that Mr. Guzman-Guerra was illegally in the United States, as he was a citizen of Guatemala, without permission to enter or remain within the United States.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Branson, Missouri Police Department.

Springfield towing company owner, 76, sentenced to 12 years for fraud, money laundering, identity theft

(From the U. S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri)

A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced today for the crimes of mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering in federal court for his role in a scheme that involved submitting false documents to the Missouri Department of Revenue in an effort to obtain mechanics liens and titles for vehicles that had previously been stolen.

Dennis Arthur Cleveland, 76, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Stephen R. Bough on one count of mail fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of money laundering. Cleveland received a sentence of 120 months for the mail fraud and money laundering counts that will run concurrently, an additional 24 months for aggravated identity theft that will run consecutively to the other counts, and an additional nine months’ incarceration for his violations of his post release supervision from a prior conviction for Clean Air Act offenses in 2023. 

Overall, Cleveland was sentenced to a total of 153 months incarceration, to be followed by three years of post-release supervision, payment of a $300 special assessment, payment of a restitution in the amount of $37,049 to the victims, a full order of forfeiture in the amount of $37,049, and the payment of $400,000 in fines assessed by the court against the defendant.

“Government records and title systems exist to establish legitimate ownership, not to provide an easy way for criminals to turn stolen vehicles into profit,” said R. Matthew Price, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “The defendant didn’t simply commit a harmless paperwork offense; he manipulated records for personal greed. Today’s sentence makes it clear that those who try to defraud government processes at any level in the Western District of Missouri, will be held accountable and aggressively prosecuted.”

Cleveland, as the owner of Affordable Towing, directed his employees, who he knew were submitting fraudulent documents, to send those documents to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The purpose of the documents was to obtain substitute or replacement mechanics liens and vehicle titles that would allow Cleveland to sell the vehicles. 

In each instance, the documents submitted by Cleveland and his employees claimed to have received permission from the vehicle’s owner. Upon reviewing the documents, it was discovered that none of the listed vehicle owners gave Cleveland or Affordable Towing permission to seize or sell their vehicle. Further, in all these documents, a signature in the name of the vehicle’s owner was provided and was confirmed to be a forgery. 

 In those instances that Cleveland obtained a replacement lien or title, he would sell the vehicle at a used car dealership. In those instances that Cleveland failed to receive a replacement title or mechanics lien, he would send the vehicle to a local scrapyard. Under either circumstance, Cleveland took all the proceeds from sale or scrapping of a vehicle for himself, totaling several million dollars. Each of the vehicles involved in this scheme were confirmed to have been reported stolen and neither Cleveland nor Affordable Towing had permission to possess, sell, or scrap any of these vehicles.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Missouri Department of Revenue, Compliance and Investigation Bureau, the Environmental Protection Agency-Criminal Investigation Division, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the United States Post Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.

Jason Smith: Trump Accounts are delivering for Missouri's children

(From Eighth District Congressman Jason Smth)

In the Working Families Tax Cuts that I authored, of all the provisions included, I truly believe the creation of Trump Accounts will be the most transformational for our country. 

As someone who grew up in a single-wide trailer, I know firsthand what this will mean to millions of working-class families like mine whose children will now get a head start in life. Regardless of whether a kid grows up on a city block or a county road, they will now have a financial foundation waiting for them when they turn 18 to learn a trade, start a business, or buy a home.

Additionally, for children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, the federal government will seed these accounts with a one-time $1,000 contribution. Eighteen years ago, just $1,000 put into the S&P 500 would be worth $7,800 today. That’s the power of compound interest. In addition to this head start for newborns, more than 100 companies, foundations, and generous individuals have pledged to contribute or are contributing to Trump Accounts, including a $6.25 billion pledge from Michael and Susan Dell to support millions of children in middle- and low-income families — one of the largest private direct investments in families in American history.

The families of more than 7 million children have already opened Trump Accounts for their kids, and this week the Treasury Department made an outstanding decision when they announced they will automatically enroll all 73 million children in a Trump account. This ensures that children whose parents haven’t heard about Trump accounts won’t be left behind, and will still have an opportunity to claim their account in the future.

Just as important, every one of these children now owns a piece of the American economy. The Democrat Party has been taken over by socialists who tell young people that government handouts and more government control are the solution to all of our nation’s problems. A Trump Account teaches the opposite. The benefits of capitalism are undeniable when you own a piece of it, and a kid who watches a balance grow year after year learns that early.

Time does most of the work, and families have plenty of ways to help it along. Parents can contribute up to $5,000 a year, and employers can add up to $2,500 without it counting toward the worker’s taxable income. Families can visit TrumpAccounts.gov for more information and can claim their child’s account through the official Trump Accounts app.

Trump Accounts give every child a stake in the economy, and it puts families in charge instead of Washington. I wrote the Working Families Tax Cuts with children from southeast Missouri in mind, and I’m going to continue fighting for them.

 

Nightmare on 7th Street: MODOT offers update on Route 66 project

(From MoDOT)

Progress Update for Route 66 Improvement Project for Week of Oct. 5

A project to make pavement, sidewalk, traffic and safety improvements along Missouri Route 66 (7th Street) in Joplin is underway. Here is an update of the work scheduled for the week of September 21.

Drivers are reminded that access to all businesses along Route 66 (7thStreet) will be maintained during hours of operation.

Work scheduled

Contractor installing new storm sewer on the north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Highland Avenue and Patterson Avenue

Florida Avenue currently CLOSED on both sides of Route 66 (7thStreet) for pavement replacement, installation of new traffic signal infrastructure and to accommodate temporary traffic shift

Contractor coordinating with utility companies to complete traffic signal installation at Florida Avenue

Contractor is working on pavement replacement for north half of Route 66 (7th Street) between McConnell Avenue and Ozark Avenue

Liberty Electric preparing for upcoming relocation work on north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between St. Louis Avenue and Murphy Boulevard

Liberty Electric coordinating relocations of light poles with other utility companies between Main Street and Virginia Avenue

Missouri American Water doing water line relocation and tie-in work on north side of Route 66 (7th Street) between Virginia Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue

City of Joplin doing sanitary sewer work on Kentucky Avenue north of Route 66 (7th Street)

City of Joplin planning night work for pipe crossing under Route 66 (7th Street) at Kentucky Avenue starting Monday, October 5

City of Joplin planning additional intermittent daytime traffic shifts on Route 66 (7th Street) between Pennsylvania Avenue and Kentucky Avenue

AT&T planning for relocation work at alley way between Pearl Avenue and Wall Avenue

Bluebird Fiber working on fiber relocation

Sparklight preparing for relocation of overhead lines at Route 66 (7th Street) and Florida Avenue

Traffic Impacts

At least one lane of Route 66 (7th Street) OPEN in both directions
Access to all business will be maintained during hours of operation
Signs and message boards will alert drivers approaching the work zone
No signed detours
Check MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map for road closings/traffic impacts

Weather and/or scheduling conflicts could alter the work schedule.

Project Details

The project will make improvements along the Route 66 (7th Street) corridor in Joplin between Jasper County Route P (Schifferdecker Avenue) and Loop 49 (Range Line Road).

As part of this project, the contractor will rebuild the pavement, bring sidewalks up to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and upgrade and replace several traffic signals along the corridor.

This contract also includes a project to rehabilitate the Oak Street bridge over I-49 in Carthage. That project is likely to start in 2027.

Project Information:Prime Contractor: D&E Plumbing & Heating LLC, Nixa
Construction Cost: $61.6 million
Contract Completion Date: December 1, 2028

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen fails Joplin Health Department inspection

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, 321 E. 4th Street, failed a Joplin Health Department inspection Wednesday, according to information posted on the department website.

The restaurant received three priority violations and nine core violations.

The priority violations were for having shrimp and salmon in grill drawers being cold held above 41 degrees, for having fried chicken in hot holding equipment being hot held below 135 degrees and for having an unlabeled chemical container.

The core violations can be found at this link. 

***

The following establishments passed their inspections:

Macadoodles Beer, Wine & Spirit, 3105 E. 17th Street

Subway @ Rapid Roberts, Inc., 4549 43 Highway

Applebee's, 2825 E. 32nd Street

Lotus Garden, 1818 W. 7th Street (re-inspection)

Schlotzsky's, 3120 S. Main Street

Joplin Flea Market, Inc.- Concessions, 1200 S. Virginia Avenue

Dover Hill Elementary, 1100 N. Main Street

Journey Through Slime Event Studio, 2130 S. Main Street (re-inspection)

Briley's LLC, 901 S. Main Street

Jimmy's Egg, 1611 S. Range Line Road

Towne Place Suites Breakfast, 3400 S. Range Line Road

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Breakfast, 3400 S. Range Line Road

Aldi Food Market, 3205 E. 20th Street

St. Mary's Catholic School, 3025 S. Central City Road

Joplin City Jail, 303 E. 3rd Street

Four injured in head-on collision on Coyote Drive; Webb City man cited for felony DWI

A Webb City man charged with felony driving while intoxicated following a head-on collision 4:55 p.m. Saturday on Coyote Drive one mile south of Joplin.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2025 Toyota X5E driven by Stanley S. Cauble, 37, Webb City, crossed the center of the roadway and struck a 2018 Toyora 4Runner driven by a 31-year-old Fayetteville, Arkansas man head on.

The Fayetteville man and a passenger in his vehicle, a 27-year-old Joplin woman, were treated for moderate injuries at Mercy Joplin.

Caudle and a passenger in his vehicle, a 56-year-old Webb City woman, were treated for serious injuries at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin.