Accused felon linked to Dankelson campaign contributions bound over for trial

A Joplin man whose family business was linked to $5,000 in campaign contributions to Jasper County Division 2 Judge Dean Dankelson waived his preliminary hearing Thursday and was bound over for trial on charges of unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Office arrested Andrew Jordan, 32, July 14, recommending a charge of distribution of a controlled substance, in addition to the weapons charge.

Though Dankelson's office was prosecuting the case against Jordan, the judge's campaign solicited five $1,000 contributions from people connected to Jordan Disposal September 7, a month after the primary election that ensured Dankelson would be judge since he had no opposition in November.

Those contributing to the Dankelson campaign were Andrew Jordan's father and uncle, Freddy Jordan and Brian Jordan, his aunt, Katharina Jordan, and Linda Beaver and former Kansas State Representative Doug Gatewood, both of whom work at Jordan Disposal.

The campaign finance report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission showed the contributions were the only ones Dankelson received.

The day after the contributions were made, Dankelson paid an advertising bill for $5,037.97 to Choice Marketing, Joplin. Prior to the $5,000 cash infusion, Dankelson had only $292.28 in his campaign account.

The probable cause statement outlined the case against Andrew Jordan:

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.

Though Freddy Jordan, 35, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, Dankelson did not file charges against him. Hall was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

After the Turner Report noted the campaign contributions connected to Jordan Disposal, Dankelson recused himself from the case and it was handled by former Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Darrell Moore.

Online Jasper County Circuit Court records indicate the case is being handled once again by the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office since there is no longer a conflict of interest.

Andrew Jordan's next hearing will be 9 a.m. May 17 in Division One with Judge Gayle Crane presiding.