Monday, August 06, 2018

Police: Joplin man used connection with churches to commit sex crimes against juvenile boys

(From the Joplin Police Department)

On Wednesday August 1, 2018 at 3:27pm the Joplin Police Department was notified of sex crimes against three juvenile children that had occurred in the city of Joplin. Detectives were immediately notified and started an investigation late into the evening. They also located and arrested the suspect that evening.

As the investigation continued through the end of the week, three additional juvenile victims were identified.

Detectives also served a search warrant on the suspect’s residence on Thursday August 2, 2018 as part of this investigation. As a result, Matthew D. Galati, 29, Joplin, has been charged by the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office with four counts of Statutory Sodomy of a person less than 12-years-old and two counts of Statutory Sodomy in the Second Degree. He is currently held at the Jasper County Jail with a $150,000 cash only bond.


Galati had access to the victims through his involvements in more than one church outside of our city but the alleged crimes he is charged with occurred in Joplin. The case is still under investigation and additional charges are possible.

Just a point of clarification: The charges that have been filed so far are for the first three victims only. Additional charges will be submitted.
(Note: If Galati is able to post bond, he will be on house arrest, required to wear an ankle monitor and not allowed to see anyone under the age of 17.)

Later post

Probable cause details Joplin man's alleged sexual assaults on underage boys, added felony charges expected in Newton County


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Jeebus!