Change of plea hearing set for Joplin man on child pornography charges

A change of plea hearing has been scheduled 9:30 a.m. September 22 in U. S. District Court in Springfield for a Joplin man who was indicted April 9 for receiving and distributing child pornography as part of a nationwide crackdown on child predators.

The investigation into Clinton John Gray, 47, appears to have begun after Joplin Police arrested him September 28, 2023 for drug trafficking and possession of drug paraphernalia after Gray, who was riding a bicycle, failed to stop at a stop sign.

After it was determined that Gray had several outstanding warrants, a search was conducted and officers found a black pouch containing three bags of methamphetamine.

Gray was bound over for trial on the meth charges, but failed to show for his arraignment three times. After the third time on April 8, 2024, Judge Dean Dankelson issued a warrant for Gray's arrest, revoked his bond, (he had been released on his own recognizance) and set his bond at $25,000 cash or surety.

The federal indictment shows Gray's alleged child pornography crimes occurred between January 1, 2023, and the day the Joplin Police arrested him.