Joplin man sentenced for methamphetamine possession w/intent to distribute

NEOSHO, Mo. – A man from Joplin has pleaded guilty in Newton County Circuit Court to possessing methamphetamine with an intent to distribute and was sentenced to 10 years in the Missouri
Department of Corrections.

Adrian Canales, 45, was sentenced by Judge John LePage of the 40th Judicial Circuit on Wednesday, March 6, on one count of C Felony Possession with Intent to Distribute.

On March 14, 2022, officers with the Joplin Police Department were conducting patrol activities in South Joplin when they observed a vehicle with illegal tint leaving a known narcotics location.

After observing the vehicle make traffic violations, the officers pulled over the vehicle on 34th Street in Newton County. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Adrian Canales and was found to be driving while revoked. Canales consented to a search of the vehicle which yielded a large amount of methamphetamine, police scanners, and three cell phones.

“Illegal drug activity is a scourge on our community. I am thankful we are able to sentence Canales to a decade in prison for running methamphetamine,” stated William Lynch, Newton County
Prosecuting Attorney.

The case was investigated by the Joplin Police Department and prosecuted by William Lynch of the Newton County Prosecutor’s Office.