A Joplin man pleaded not guilty this morning during a video arraignment in Jasper County Circuit Court to three counts of sexual misconduct involving a child under 15, all felonies, and a single misdemeanor count of sexual misconduct.
Bond for James P. Rice (DOB 1958) has been set at $250,000 cash or surety.
From the probable cause statement:
On 11/21/2025 I was dispatched to the area of 9th/Main Street in reference to James Rice entering a privately owned park where five children were playing.
Rice, in front of juveniles, removed his penis and genitals from his pants and began urinating in the park in front of each of the children.
I spoke to V1 who advised she was the parents to V2, V3 and V4 and wished to pursue charges against Rice.
I then contacted V5, V6 and V7's mother who advised she was not present at the time but wished to pursue charges against Rice.
The children had told V1 that they witnessed Rice exposing his genitals while urinating in the park. Rice was located in the alleyway behind the park and was taken into custody without incident.
When you gotta go, you gotta go (to jail).
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