Joplin man pleads not guilty to federal meth trafficking charge

During an initial appearance this afternoon, at U. S. District Court in Springfield, Christopher L. Meister, 41, Joplin, waived the reading of his indictment and pleaded not guilty to a meth trafficking charge.
Meister was arrested March 11 after officers conducted a controlled-delivery of a package suspected of containing narcotics at a Joplin residence, according to a detention motion filed by the U. S. Attorney's office.

Defendant accepted the package and returned to the residence, at which time officers executed a previously obtained search warrant.

Defendant was found in the master bedroom with the package and a loaded, .45-caliber firearm within reach.

Meister is being held without bond.