Alleged fentanyl trafficker picked up on firearm offense

Jeff Lehr, The Joplin Globe, Mo.
·1 min read

May 14—A 32-year-old man, who was charged in March with trafficking in fentanyl, is facing a count of unlawful possession of a firearm from a traffic stop and foot pursuit Saturday in Joplin.

Dontae A. Hill remained in custody Tuesday without any bond set pending a bond modification hearing Wednesday in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Hill was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for an equipment violation near the intersection of Junge Boulevard and Cleveland Avenue. The 32-year-old male driver of the vehicle was taken into custody for driving while revoked and on two outstanding warrants.

Hill tried to flee after a drug-sniffing dog alerted on the vehicle, according to a police report. Capt. William Davis of the Joplin Police Department said a pursuing officer saw Hill throw a fanny pack over a fence as he ran. After he was caught and taken into custody, the fanny pack was retrieved containing a handgun and small amount of marijuana, Davis said.

In addition to the firearm offense, Hill was charged with a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.