Five Joplin residents arrested following SWAT team search warrant execution at 221 North Walnut

(From the Joplin Police Department)

This morning, June 21, 2018, the Joplin Police Department’s SWAT Team executed a search warrant at 221 North Walnut. 

After the SWAT team secured the residence and the five occupants, Joplin detectives conducted a search of the residence. They had been involved in an investigation into the residence that resulted in today’s search warrant. All five occupants of the residence were arrested.

Christina Smith, 55, Joplin, was arrested for being in possession of a stolen laptop and possession of drug paraphernalia. Arthur Hoffman, 39, Joplin, was arrested for being in possession of drug paraphernalia. Richard Pitts, 48, Joplin, was

arrested for an outstanding JPD Warrant for drugs. Ronal Smith, 33, Joplin, and Megan Eldridge, 28, Joplin, were both arrested for being in possession of stolen electronics from a burglary in Joplin, a bag of meth weighing approximately 11 grams and drug paraphernalia. They were both arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia and stealing. Smith also had 4 JPD Warrants for his arrest.

Today’s arrests are a result of the Joplin Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit that is focused on reducing crime in our city.