Myers arrested following months-long investigation

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Joplin Police Department, Carthage Police Department, Jasper County Juvenile Office and the Missouri DSS Children’s Division have been working on a months-long investigation into allegations made against James Arthur Myers, 33, Joplin.

On 04-26-19, Myers was arrested by Jasper County deputies on two counts of statutory rape in the first degree and one count of statutory sodomy in the first degree.

Since that time Jasper County Detectives along with detectives from the Joplin Police Department and Carthage Police Department continued to follow potential leads involving other victims.

To date, eight victims have been identified and Myers has been charged with eight counts of statutory sodomy, two counts of statutory rape, two counts of sexual trafficking of a child and one count of enticement of a child.

Some of these offenses occurred as far back as 2007.

Myers is currently in custody at the Jasper County Detention Center with a $100,000 cash bond.