Federal grand jury indicts Carl Junction man on weapons charge

The indictment of a Carl Junction man for possession of a firearm by a felon was unsealed today in U S District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

According to the indictment, Collin Asbell, 35, was in possession of a firearm September 13, 2023 in Jasper County.

Asbell is awaiting trial in Jasper County Circuit Court on drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with a November 13, 2023 Joplin Police Department traffic stop.

From the probable cause statement in that case:

Collin Asbell was stopped at 2600 South Range Line in Joplin, Jasper County for driving while revoked, with multiple revocations including an active minimum 10 year denial. 

Asbell was arrested and found to have a syringe in his front left pocket. After a K9 Alert and search of the vehicle, multiple items of drug paraphernalia including cut straws, syringes, bent burnt spoon and 2 digital scales were located. Also located was approximately one gram of suspected controlled substance (heroin/fentanyl) wrapped in foil. 

In the same dash compartment was a Ruger LCP .380 Handgun loaded, with a second loaded mag and 2 extra rounds. Asbell is a convicted felon in Missouri and was arrested out of the same vehicle 2 months ago today (9-13-23) for felon in possession of a different handgun. 

Under Miranda Asbell advised he placed the narcotics from his pocket to the dash compartment but didn't see the gun in the same compartment.

The government filed a motion today to have Asbell held without bond.