Monday, January 30, 2017

Gunshot victim faces pending charges, had drug charges dropped by Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney

One of the two victims of a shooting Sunday at 2334 East Zora, Joplin, is currently awaiting trial on a felony charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer.

The charges were filed following an August 28 incident in which Paul Haney, 19, dragged a Joplin police officer who had attempted to stop his motorcycle.

At the time of that incident, Haney was free on $20,000 bond on felony drug charges stemming from an April 10 arrest by the Jasper County Sheriff's Department. Bond was set at $5,000 on the assaulting a law enforcement officer charge and was paid almost immediately.

At some point since that arrest, it appears that the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office dropped the drug charges since they are no longer shown on online court records.

Joplin Police have not released any information, other than Haney being shot, about his involvement in the activities at 2334 East Zora.

The details on Haney's still pending charge were featured in the following Joplin Police Department news release:

On Saturday, 08-27-2016 at approximately 1:00 AM, Sgt. Rusty Rives observed two motorcycles eastbound on 32nd St. from Wisconsin Avenue.

The motorcycles were going one-hundred and twenty-four miles per hour. (124 mph.) The two motorcyclists were recognized as subjects that officers had multiple interactions with, wherein they taunt the police in order to attempt to prompt a pursuit.

Later into the shift, Sgt. Rives again observed the motorcycles traveling north on Main St. from 32nd St. when Paul G. Haney drove into oncoming traffic at a southbound police unit.

Sgt. Rives waited on foot at 15th and Main St. Upon their return they were stopped at the light and Sgt. Rives, on foot, approached Haney.

Sgt. Rives attempted to take Haney into custody. Once Rives grabbed Haney’s hoody. He became entangled in it as Haney took off at a high rate of speed. Haney dragged Sgt. Rives several feet. As a result, Sgt. Rives’ shoulder was dislocated.

Sgt. Rives transported himself to the hospital where he was treated and released.

Multiple agencies, including Missouri State Highway Patrol, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and Newton Country Sheriff’s Office assisted in locating Haney.

The Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against Haney for Felony Assault on Law Enforcement and a warrant was issued with a $5,000 bond.

On Sunday, August 28, 2016, Haney was arrested by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

When the prosecutor doesn't take care of crime, people take matters into their own hands. Obviously nothing has changed since Dealin' Dean left. When is the next election?

Anonymous said...

What was that quote made by Dean Wormer to Flounder in the movie "Animal House"?

Oh, yeah....I remember now...

Anonymous said...

The deceased in this incident was apparently named Taven L. Williams. On arrival, officers found Taven L. Williams (21) of Joplin deceased.

A person by the same name was apparently arrested previously for a home invasion.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Department said David L. Morris, 22, Oronogo, and Taven L. Williams, 20, Joplin were charged with crimes after the incident, which involved drugs and guns, at Morris's home at 21600 Kafir Road, rural Oronogo.
Morris, the home owner, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, unlawful Use of a weapon and armed criminal action, all felonies,
Williams, the alleged home invader, has been charged with first degree robbery, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.


Unknown whether charges were filed, or if charges were filed and then dropped, or if the deceased had been enrolled in a catch and release program of some sort.

Anonymous said...

Deceased was apparently enrolled in a local catch and release program.

Reference the alleged involvement in the alleged drug robbery and shooting incident of May 9 2015 local media reported the following:


Williams and Morris were arrested soon after the shooting, posted bonds and were released on Sunday. Williams is charged with first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon and armed criminal action.