Sunday, December 31, 2017
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Friday, December 29, 2017
Thursday, December 28, 2017
SECOND PERSON WANTED ON WARRANT FOR MURDER - IN CUSTODY
(64801) — The second person being sought on a warrant for murder is now in the custody of the Joplin Police Department. A warrant of first degree murder was served at 901 S Jefferson and Artilius Jordan, 47, was taken into custody without incident.
Artilius Jordan, 47, Joplin - ARRESTED
Murder 1st
Assault 2nd (2counts)
Armed criminal Action (3 counts)
On December 26 Moses Ramsey was taken into custody by Joplin police at a residence near 21st and Empire, without incident.
The warrants served are for the murder of Sean Harris on Christmas Eve at 627 S Byers.
Moses M. Ramsey, 27, Joplin - ARRESTED
Murder 1st
Assault 2nd (2counts)
Armed criminal Action (3 counts)
Webb City Police Department - Fatality Crash Information
(64870) — Information from our friends at the Webb City Police Department.
This map/image was created by Joplin News First for public information only. This is not a part of the police investigation or a recreation of the crash scene. SOURCE: Google Images/Maps
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Monday, December 25, 2017
ONE IN CUSTODY AND ONE AT-LARGE
(UPDATE 12/26 11:24 am) — From the Joplin Police Department, “Moses Ramsey was taken into custody by Joplin police this morning around 9am, at a residence near 21st and Empire, without incident. This arrest was for the murder of Sean Harris on Christmas Eve. Artilius Jordan is still wanted for his warrants related to the murder, and his whereabouts are unknown. This is still an active investigation.”
Moses M. Ramsey, 27, Joplin - ARRESTED
Moses M. Ramsey, 27, Joplin - ARRESTED
Murder 1st
Assault 2nd (2counts)
Armed criminal Action (3 counts)
Artilius Jordan, 47, Joplin - STILL AT LARGE - WANTED
Murder 1st
Assault 2nd (2counts)
Armed criminal Action (3 counts)
These are wanted men. If you know the whereabouts do not approach them. Contact the Joplin Police Department immediately 24 hours a day 417/623-3131. Or simply dial 911.
One Dead In Christmas Eve Shooting
(UPDATE: 11:11am) — The victim is identified as 47-year-old Sean Harris in this press release from the Joplin Police Department. 
Friday, December 22, 2017
Woman Shot at Gas Station - Male Being Sought
Press Release
Shooting Overnight
Media Contact: Captain Trevor Duncan
Update #1: The suspect in the shooting is identified as Lonnie L. Boyd, 36, Joplin. He is wanted for domestic assault in the first degree and armed criminal action. His location is unknown, we are seeking his arrest. He is said to now have short braided hair.
On 12-21-2017 at 11:38pm we received a call to 5501 East 32nd, Gastrip, for a shooting. Officers arrived and found a 29-year-old female with a gunshot wound to her hip. She was transported to a local hospital and is in surgery, as of this morning.
The suspect hasn’t been arrested at this time. This is however an isolated incident, and is a case of domestic violence. The investigation continues.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Joplin Has No 24 Hour Christmas Station Joplin News First Has One for You on Spotify
(64804/64801) -- Joplin doesn't have a 24 hour Christmas music station! So we have created a playlist/radio that plays all the CLASSICS. If you remember Magic 93.9 FM, Lite Mix 95.1, KOBC Christmas 90.7 from years past in Joplin you will remember all these classic songs!
Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Barry Manilow, The Carpenters, Amy Grant, Brenda Lee, Burl Ives.
Click FOLLOW and SHARE it on Facebook. Thanks for following @JoplinNewsFirst
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Monday, December 18, 2017
Preferred Family Health Employees Conspire to Commit Fraud In Illegal Kick Back Scheme
 |
| United States Department of Justice | Western District of Missouri |
Political Consultant Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Spend Nearly $1 Million from Preferred Family Health for Illegal Political Activity, Kickbacks
PFH Executives Identified as Co-Conspirators
PFH Executives Identified as Co-Conspirators
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Philadelphia political consultant pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiring with a former Arkansas state legislator and several executives of a Springfield, Mo., charity to spend nearly $1 million on illegal political activity and on kickbacks to conspirators.
FULL WEBB LINK: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/political-consultant-pleads-guilty-conspiracy-spend-nearly-1-million-springfield
Donald Andrew Jones, also known as “D.A.” Jones, 62, of Willingboro, N.J., waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David P. Rush to a federal information that charges him with participating in a conspiracy from April 2011 to January 2017 to steal from an organization that receives federal funds.
Jones’s firm, D.A. Jones & Associates, based in Philadelphia, Penn., provides political and advocacy services, including consulting, analysis, and public relations. By pleading guilty today, Jones admitted that he was paid approximately $973,807 by Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc., a non-profit charity in Springfield, for illegal lobbying and political activity on behalf of the charity. Two co-conspirators received a total of $264,000 in kickbacks from Jones. (Preferred Family Healthcare resulted from the May 1, 2015, merger between Alternative Opportunities of Springfield, Mo., and Preferred Family Healthcare of Kirksville, Mo.)
Court documents cite, but do not identify by name, five individual co-conspirators who are not charged in the fraud scheme. Person #1, Person #2 and Person #3 – all residents of Springfield – were executives at the charity. Person #4, a resident of Rogers, Ark., served as an executive for company operations in the state of Arkansas. Person #4 also operated two lobbying firms. Person #7, a resident of Melbourne, Ark., was an Arkansas lobbyist and former state legislator. Person #7 also was a board member and employee of the charity.
Preferred Family Healthcare and its subsidiaries provide a variety of services to individuals, including mental and behavioral health treatment and counseling, substance abuse treatment and counseling, employment assistance, aid to individuals with developmental disabilities, and medical services. The charity received Medicaid reimbursements from the states of Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma from 2011 to 2016, of which the federal portion totaled more than $255 million. The charity also received more than $53 million from the federal government (the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, and Justice) under programs involving grants, contracts, loans, guarantees, insurance and other forms of federal assistance from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2016.
According to today’s plea agreement, conspirators engaged in multiple schemes to unlawfully use the charity’s funds to make political contributions and for excessive and unreported lobbying and political advocacy. In order to provide a veneer of legitimacy for the kickbacks paid to themselves and others, and to disguise the nature and source of the payments, conspirators caused the payments to be described in the records as business expenses, such as “consulting” and “training” services, and executed sham “consulting agreements.”
Conspirators caused the charity to engage in political outreach that violated both law and public policy. For example, they employed lobbyists and advocates (including Jones) to influence elected and appointed public officials. Also, the conspirators caused personal contributions to elected officials and their political campaigns to be reimbursed by the charity. Such indirect contributions are prohibited by law just as if the payments had been made by the charity directly.
Jones admitted that he worked from 2011 through January 2017 to provide advocacy services, including direct contact with legislators and government officials, in order to influence elected and appointed public officials regarding legislative issues that impacted the charity. Jones also solicited the assistance of elected and appointed officials in steering grants and other sources of funding to the charity.
The charity paid Jones a total of $973,807, with some payments routed through different business entities or lobbying firms. Although his services were falsely described as “consulting” services and the payments made to Jones as payments pursuant to a “consulting agreement,” they actually were payments for Jones’s advocacy services, including direct contact with elected and appointed public officials.
Jones admitted that he paid $219,000 in kickbacks to Person #4 and that he made two payments totaling $45,000 to Person #7. Both Person #4 and Person #7 worked for the charity.
By pleading guilty today, Jones acknowledged he willfully blinded himself to (in other words, deliberately avoided learning or recognizing) the following facts, which should have been obvious to him:
• Person #1, Person #2, Person #3 and Person #4 made some payments to him indirectly in order to conceal on the charity’s books and records the full amount he was paid;
• Person #1, Person #2, and Person #3 caused the charity to pay him as a “consultant” in order to conceal the nature of his services for the charity, which were advocacy and lobbying; and
• Jones’s compensation for work done on behalf of Entity E – a separate for-profit company owned in part by Person #1 and Person #2 – should have been paid by Entity E, and not the charity.
• Person #1, Person #2, Person #3 and Person #4 made some payments to him indirectly in order to conceal on the charity’s books and records the full amount he was paid;
• Person #1, Person #2, and Person #3 caused the charity to pay him as a “consultant” in order to conceal the nature of his services for the charity, which were advocacy and lobbying; and
• Jones’s compensation for work done on behalf of Entity E – a separate for-profit company owned in part by Person #1 and Person #2 – should have been paid by Entity E, and not the charity.
In a separate and unrelated case, Jones pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, to lying to the FBI. Jones admitted to making a false statement to the FBI arising from his participation in a scheme involving unlawful contributions to a political candidate’s campaign.
Under federal statutes, Jones is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
Under federal statutes, Jones is subject to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven M. Mohlhenrich and Trial Attorney Sean F. Mulryne of the Department of Justice Public Integrity Section. It was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the FBI and the Offices of the Inspectors General from the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, and the FDIC.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Saturday, December 16, 2017
MSSU Graduation Broadcast in Full
(64801) -- Congratulations to the MSSU Graduates. What a great accomplishment!
Friday, December 15, 2017
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
#JPDincidentspotlight But We Doctored Our Video
***WARNING: REAL STORY BUT WE DOCTORED OUR VIDEO***
Press Release
Shooting Arrest
Media Contact: Captain Trevor Duncan
On December 11, 2017 at 9:45pm officers responded to 1808 West 20th for a report of shots fired. The caller had called to report that a male at the residence had fired a shot behind the residence and then fired a second shot through the glass window on the back door. The suspect was a friend of victim who lived in the detached garage behind her residence. The male had then entered the residence and wouldn’t let her leave, while still armed. She was eventually able to leave and call for help.
Officers responded to the area and initially couldn’t find the suspect who had left in a green van. Shortly thereafter, one of our officers spotted the suspect vehicle southbound on Maiden Lane from 24th, driving with no lights and committing traffic violations. Before the officer tried to stop the van, it pulled into a parking lot at 26th and Maiden Lane. It then exited and drove north on Maiden Lane to Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market, west through the lot, south on McCoy back across 26th street and got stuck in a field, all while the officer tried to stop the vehicle with lights and sirens. The male ran on foot and was arrested.
The suspect, Waylon Durison, 34, Joplin, was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated, Resisting Arrest, kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm and 4th degree assault. Charges have been submitted to the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office. There were no injuries from this incident.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Friday, December 8, 2017
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Are You Missing Packages? Packages from Porches Recovered - JPD Find 130 More
Press Release
Package Thefts Arrest
Contact: Captain Trevor Duncan
The Joplin area had seen an increase in thefts of packages that were delivered and left on porches. Other surrounding communities saw the same activity. With the assistance of eye witnesses and home-surveillance videos, the Joplin Police Department was on the look-out for an older style Red Ford Escape and a white male suspect. That information was supported by other area departments sharing information about a Red Escape being the suspect vehicle. The investigation had identified a partial license plate as well for the suspect vehicle.
On December 2nd, 2017 at 7:19pm a Joplin Police Department Patrol Corporal was on regular patrol at Valley and St. Louis. He saw a red, 2003 Ford Escape turn west onto Valley from St. Louis. The license plate was consistent with the license plate we had, and the vehicle matched the surveillance videos of thefts we had reviewed. The officer stopped the vehicle as it pulled up to 1609 East Valley to further investigate. The driver of the vehicle, Phillip L. Bishop, Joplin, was wearing the same clothes as he was captured on video the day prior committing a theft from a porch in central Joplin.
Detectives and Officers searched the residence they stopped the vehicle at, and located a large amount of suspected stolen items. They were all brand new in different stages of packaging and boxes. More than 130 separate items were seized. Bishop was initially booked on a traffic offense and misdemeanor stealing for the theft the day prior. Detectives are working on linking the property to the theft reports and identifying victims, and additional charges are expected. Anyone who has experienced a package theft is encouraged to report it to the law enforcement agency in which jurisdiction they live. That initial report is needed before we can verify who owns which stolen property. We also ask from patience from victims as this process is time consuming.
First on Joplin News First - Joplin Stabbing, Arrests Made in KS
Press Release
901 S. Monroe Stabbing Arrests
Contact: Captain Trevor Duncan
417-623-3131 ext 600
901 S. Monroe Stabbing Arrests
Contact: Captain Trevor Duncan
417-623-3131 ext 600
On December 4, 2017 at about 11:01 PM officers responded to 901 South Monroe for a report of a stabbing. A 49-year-old male was located outside of the residence and a 41-year-old female was located inside of the residence, both with significant injuries. Both were transported to the hospital and no suspects were located on scene. Detectives responded and began an investigation.
On December 5, 2017, late in the evening two suspects in this case were arrested in Montgomery, County, Kansas with the help of the local authorities there. David Q Jackson, 21, Joplin, was arrested on warrants issued earlier in the day by the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office for 2 counts of Domestic Assault in the 1st Degree and 2 counts of Armed Criminal Action. He has no bond on his charges. Byron A. Love, 18, Joplin, was arrested for warrants issued yesterday evening by the Jasper County Prosecutor’s Office for Assault in the 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action. He has a $250,000 bond plus $25,000 cash. Both are currently in custody in Kansas. (Mugshots attached are from arrests earlier this year)
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Monday, December 4, 2017
The Children’s Center NAP TAX CREDIT Printable Information Sheet
(64804/64801) — The Children’s Center of SWMO need your financial donation as they increase their monthly budget and pay for this new building that doubles their size.
Please print this NAP TAX CREDIT information sheet and share it with your tax preparer or financial advisor about a larger donation.
For larger donors you can take advantage of the NAP TAX CREDIT. Let's say you owe $1,000 in income tax to the state of MO for 2017.
- Make a donation of $500 supporting the Children's Center.
- Because of the donation, you receive a 50% NAP tax credit from the state of MO and now you have $250 in credits that you can use to reduce your taxes.
- In essence you reduce the amount of taxes you owe from $1,000 to $750 with your donation
NAP is the Neighborhood Assistance Program
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Northpark Mall is THRIVING While Other Malls are DYING
(75092 - Sherman TX) — Just about an hour North of Dallas this mall is dying. This is right at 9:00 in a Saturday night. Sherman is population 45,000. Joplin is population 50,000.
I hear a lot of people say that ‘Joplin is dead’ and ‘there’s nothing to do’. This is a tour of the Midway Mall in Sherman TX. Talk about dead 
💀 the theater is showing IT and Madea Boo 2 tonight.
💀 the theater is showing IT and Madea Boo 2 tonight.
Recent statistics say that 1/3 of malls will close in the next 5 years. No more hanging out at the food court. Going to Vintage Stock or seeing the latest styles at American Eagle here at this mall.
Be thankful Joplin is thriving and growing. 
🙌🏽
🙌🏽
According to this 2009 blog this is considered a Tier A Mall with 600,000 square feet. This area is known as Texoma (TX/OK line). Durant, OK/Denison, TX/Sherman, TX with a population base of 150,000 people it should be surviving along this I-75 corridor instead of looking like a movie set for Zombieland.
The only thing that has changed is that more large stores have closed since the article. JC Penny left 10 years ago. Bealls, Sears, Mervyns, Old Navy, Goodys and Famous Labels all have exited since 2011. But they still continue to leave some of the lights on in hope of what?
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