Alleged Joplin marijuana trafficker pleads not guilty, released on bond

A man who was allegedly running a marijuana operation at a Joplin residence pleaded not guilty today in U S. District Court in Springfield and was released on bond following a detention hearing.

Jayme J. Richardson, 43, was arrested after the Highway Patrol executed a search warrant December 27 and found a "signficant marijuana growing operation in a room above an attached garage," according to a detention motion filed by the U. S. Attorney's office.

In total, troopers discovered approximately 188 marijuana plants and the harvested stalks of approximately 61 additional marijuana plants. Troopers also found numerous firearms within the residence, including three semi-automatic pistols, four semi-automatic rifles, two bolt-action rifles, and one semi-automatic shotgun with a drum magazine.

One of the rifles was equipped with a silencer attachment that was not registered to Defendant.

The majority of the firearms were found in a room where it appeared Defendant was storing processed marijuana.