Jasper County jury convicts man on weapons charge

(From the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)

The Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office announces that on November 4, 2025, a Jasper County jury convicted Joseph Tallie of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. 

On January 11, 2025, just after 1:00 a.m., a Joplin police officer stopped a vehicle for traveling the wrong way on a one-way street at the intersection of Joplin Avenue and Seventh Street in Joplin. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Joseph Tallie was the driver of the vehicle. There were no other persons in the vehicle. 

The officer asked Tallie for his license, registration and proof of insurance. Tallie advised he did not have insurance for his vehicle. Additionally, his driving status was restricted, and his registration was expired. Tallie was arrested and his vehicle was towed. 

During a tow inventory of the vehicle, the officer located a black Taurus TCP .380 handgun inside of the center console of the vehicle. The handgun was loaded with a round in the chamber and six rounds in the

magazine. 

As a convicted felon, Tallie cannot lawfully possess a firearm. Unlawful Possession of a Weapon is a class C felony which carries a range of sentence from three years to ten years in the Department of Corrections. However, because Tallie is a prior and persistent offender having previously been convicted of the felony of Distribution or Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana in the District Court of Crawford County, Kansas, and Possession of Opiate, Opium, Narcotic or Certain Stimulant in the District Court of Crawford County, the range of sentence is enhanced from three years up to 15 years in the Department of Corrections. 

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for January 6, 2026.

This case was investigated by the Joplin Police Department and tried by Jasper County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Scott Watson.