Two Joplin City Jail inmates overdose, one nearly dies after prisoner allegedly sneaks 'heroin' past strip search

Two Joplin City Jail inmates overdosed, and one nearly died after a prisoner was able to bring a white powdery substance though he was subjected to a strip search, according to a probable cause statement filed in Jasper County Circuit Court.

The prisoner, Marvin Earl Ward, Jr. pleaded not guilty today. Ward is being held in the Jasper County Jail on a $50,000 cash only bond. A bond reduction hearing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. September 3 before Judge John Nicholas.

From the probable cause statement:

On 08/12/2024 a search warrant was served on the residence of 123 West 45th Street by the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team. The search warrant was obtained after a thorough narcotics investigation. The primary target being Marvin Ward Jr. 

During the search warrant a safe was located inside Marvin’s bedroom. Inside the safe was over forty Fentanyl pills and powder, 20 grams of Cocaine, and a pistol. 

Marvin was subsequently charged with Trafficking Drugs in the 1st Degree, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. 

 On 08/13/2024 two inmates overdosed on a white substance provided to them by Marvin in the Joplin City Jail. The two inmates then had to be revived by Paramedics, using Narcan. One had to be transported to Freeman Hospital and required further treatment. 

I then conducted a thorough investigation into the incident. Using surveillance footage from the Jail, and multiple witness statements; I was able to determine Jaill Staff missed a white substance concealed on Marvin’s person when he was transported to the Joplin City Jail, and subsequently strip searched on 08/12/2024. 

Marvin described the substance as “Heroin” to multiple witnesses in the jail. Marvin then distributed the substance to multiple inmates, in exchange for a phone card, so that he could contact a Bail Bondsman. 

The action resulted in multiple overdoses and nearly death. 

 Marvin bonded out of the Joplin City Jail, just before the overdoses occurred. Marvin was taken into custody on 08/22/204 when he was located hiding inside a closet, during a search warrant served by the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team at 600 block of South Roney Street, in Carl Junction. Marvin was also found to have active three felony warrants for his arrest at that time. 

The case was investigated by the Joplin Police Department.