Probable cause: Attempt to pass counterfeit $10 bills at Wendy's leads to drug trafficking charge against Joplin man

An attempt to pass counterfeit $10 bills at Wendy's in Webb City led to a drug trafficking charge against a Joplin man, according to a probable cause statement filed today in Jasper County Circuit Court.

John Austin Zippro (DOB 1994) was also charged with two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance.

A warrant was issued for Zippro's arrest with bond set at $30,000 cash or surety.

The path from fake $10 bills to drug charges was detailed in the probable cause statement:

Management reported that the male had paid for a meal with a fake ten dollar bill and then tried to get the cashier to exchange two additional fake ten dollar bills for a twenty dollar bill from the register. 

Mr. Zippro was found to have an additional three (3) ten dollar bills that were fake on his person. Mr. Zippro was in possession of a total of six (6) counterfeit ten dollar bills three of which he passed as real US currency. 

Mr. Zippro was placed under arrest for an unrelated Jasper County warrant and a subsequent search of Mr. Zippro and his property the following was located: 

Straws with residue, lighter, aluminum foil strips

Five aluminum foil strips with burnt residue that field test positive for heroin 

White crystal like substance in a small plastic baggie which field test positive for meth and fentanyl 

Three 2mg tablets that a presumed to be alprazolam a schedule 4 controlled substance

The case was investigated by the Webb City Police Department.

Jasper County Circuit Court records indicate the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed a possession of a controlled substance charge against Zippro after Xanax was allegedly found in his pants during an arrest.