A dentist in Missouri entangled in a 2023 fatal hit-and-run case was arrested for allegedly buying hundreds of dollars' worth of fentanyl and having a stolen gun, according to a probable cause statement from authorities dated March 6.
Dr. John "Jay" Joseph, who is awaiting trial in the hit-run-case in which his son allegedly struck and killed a 60-year-old man in August 2023, was charged on March 5 with trafficking drugs in the first degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and stealing, according to the statement. Joseph, who operates a dental practice in Joplin, MO, was released from custody after posting a bond.
On March 5, authorities reportedly saw Joseph exit his pickup truck in a retail parking lot and engage in a drug deal. Police detained him after the dentist returned to his truck.
Police searched Joseph and purportedly found a package containing 11 g of fentanyl in his pocket. A search of the truck recovered 1 g of fentanyl, multiple types of drug paraphernalia consistent with fentanyl ingestion, and a 9-mm handgun, according to the probable cause statement.
Joseph allegedly told police that he paid $600 in exchange for the package of fentanyl. Police learned later that the gun Joseph had in his truck had been reported stolen from a home in Joplin, according to the statement.
In the fall of 2024, Joseph and his teenage son, Rocco Joseph, pleaded not guilty for their alleged roles in the hit-and-run accident that killed Gary LaTurner in Kansas. Both were charged with leaving the scene of a fatality accident, and the elder was also charged with contributing to a child's misconduct or deprivations.
The teenager's vehicle allegedly struck LaTurner, of Galena, KS, at about 11:30 p.m. on August 19, 2023, and didn't stop, according to news articles.
The father and son allegedly returned to the scene about 40 minutes later. Authorities claim video from a business near the accident site revealed that the dentist returned to the scene of the crash, illuminated LaTurner with the headlights of his truck, and left the area without contacting police.
Authorities say LaTurner was still alive when Joseph returned to the scene. The coroner reported that LaTurner died about eight hours after the father and son left the scene. LaTurner's body was found in a ditch the next day, according to news articles.
