Dankelson reduced, dropped charges against members of family that gave him $5,000

Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney Dean Dankelson failed to file charges against one member of a family later connected to $5,000 in contributions to Dankelson's successful campaign for District 2 Judge.

Dankelson charged Aaron Andrew Jordan, 32, Joplin, with unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance, but Jasper County Sheriff's Department records indicate the initial arrest was for distribution of methamphetamine and not for possession.

Jordan's brother, Freddy Jordan III, 35, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. Dankelson did not file charges against him.

Also arrested on charges of distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia was Jamie D. Hall, 27, Joplin. Dankelson filed charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana against her.

Dankelson's campaign finance records show he received $5,000 in contributions connected to the family business, Jordan Disposal, on September 7, more than a month after his primary victory over Stephen Carlton. Dankelson faces no opposition in the general election.

The next day, Dankelson paid $5,037 to Choice Marketing, Joplin, The prosecuting attorney told the Joplin Globe that he did not know why his campaign contacted the five people who contributed $1,000 apiece- Andrew and Freddy Jordan's father, Freddy Jordan Jr., their uncle Brian Jordan and his wife Katherina, Linda Beaver, and former Kansas State Rep. Doug Gatewood, all of whom work for Jordan Disposal.

Prior to the Jordan Disposal contributions, Dankelson only had $292.28 in his campaign account.

The basis for the stronger charges for which the Jordans and Hall were arrested were spelled out in the probable cause statement:

On July 14, 2016, around 1535 hours, I, Deputy Soole No. 338 was dispatched to a careless and imprudent driver in the area of Main and Zora in Joplin, MO, Jasper County. Dispatch gave me a description of the suspect vehicle and the direction of the vehicle.

They advised it was driving erratically, passed the reporting party on a double yellow line and cut the reporting party off.

As I approached the intersection of Eaglewood and Mangrove, I was flagged down by the reporting party. The suspect vehicle had pulled into a residence (3238 Mangrove) and the driver ran quickly inside.

Another male subject (Freddy Jordan), was standing by the suspect vehicle on the passenger side.

The driver soon came back out of the residence with a rifle in his hand and shot across Mangrove in a north east direction.

The suspect noticed my patrol unit (reporting party and I about 100 yards north of the residence parked in the roadway of Mangrove) and quickly ran back inside the residence. He later came back out without the rifle. He was identified as Andrew Jordan.

I detained both Freddy and Aaron (note Aaron is Andrew's middle name) As I was doing this, a female came out of the residence. She was identified as Jamie Hall. Ms. Hall stated she didn't know if anyone else was inside.

During a safety sweep of the residence located in the middle bedroom in plain view was a green leafy plant in a pot. Located in the back bedroom were several baggies with a white substance and green leafy substance in plain view on nightstands along with glass pipes with burnt residue.

The baggies with white substance field tested positive for methamphetamine.

Aaron was advised of his Miranda rights and asked if he understood. Aaron said yes. Aaron said all he did was pass the reporting party and noticed they were following him and became scared. Aaron said he just tried to hurry home so he would feel safe.

Aaron said he was just shooting to shoot because he thought this was his last round. Aaron admitted to all other items inside the residence belonged to him.


(Note: This post has been changed to reflect that charges were filed against Jamie Hall.)