Monday, June 12, 2023

Change of plea hearing set for Joplin man on cocaine, fentanyl trafficking charges


A change of plea hearing is scheduled for a Joplin man charged with fentanyl and cocaine trafficking.

Emilino Maturino, 25, allegedly was involved in trafficking drugs in Jasper County between November 30, 2020 and February 7, 2022, according to the indictment.

Maturino was ordered held in the Greene County Jail in May 2022 following a detention hearing in which the government detailed his lengthy criminal history. 









Judge David P. Rush issued the following order:

Regarding the potential danger to the community, the Court notes the nature of the instant offense and defendant’s criminal history which includes, but is not limited to, the following: prior arrests and convictions; criminal history while under supervision (instant offense committed during probation); violent behavior history (arrest for domestic assault); probation non-compliance; charge involving violence; charge involving domestic violence; history of weapons possession; and pattern of similar criminal activity history (two DWI convictions).

The Court also notes defendant’s substance abuse history and safety concerns for the community.


During recorded jail calls following his arrest, defendant made threats to harm others and also his opposition to going to prison. He indicated that if he had to do several years in prison, he would take a bullet in court with the guns from the sheriffs.


Based on all the foregoing, the Courts finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is a danger to the community.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Wow. Reading this would almost guarantee a person would think he did these things. It's truly terrible what he and those close to him are going through while he is locked away without evidence. Probably might want to learn a little about who you're writing about before you take what the authorities say at face value. That's all I'm at liberty to say, but it would behoove you to take that into consideration before you drag someone like you have here.