Joplin man accused of using Miami church connection to molest underage boys pleads not guilty

A Joplin man who allegedly molested underage boys that he met through his work with the New Beginnings Church in Miami, Oklahoma, pleaded not guilty during a video arraignment Thursday in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Matthew Galati, 29, is charged with six counts of statutory sodomy, with a Joplin Police Department news release indicating he will soon be charged with a felony in connection to alleged sexual contact with an underage boy at a Newton County hotel.

The probable cause statement for Galati's Jasper County arrest, indicates he met the boys through the church and then sexually touched them at his home with the actions including one situation in which Galati and three boys were in bed naked. Two of those boys were in the church group, according to the statement.

The next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. August 22.

Galati is being held in the Jasper County Jail on a $150,000 cash-only bond.