Carthage, MO – A man is facing charges this week after Jasper County deputies said he was caught on a game camera trespassing on private property north of Carthage on Saturday.
According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of first-degree trespassing in the area of Civil War Road and Java Street on October 25. The caller provided a photo captured by a game camera that showed a man walking through a wooded area while holding what appeared to be a pistol.
Deputies said the individual was later identified as 37-year-old Justin Wayne Thomas. Carthage Police located Thomas a short time later, and Jasper County detectives conducted an interview. According to investigators, Thomas allegedly admitted he knew he was not allowed to be on the property.
Officials determined the firearm visible in the image was a BB gun, not a real handgun. Even so, deputies said the presence of the weapon raised safety concerns for nearby residents and officers responding to the call.
Following the investigation, charges of first-degree trespassing were submitted to the Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Thomas was charged and is currently being held in the Jasper County Jail on a $500 cash-only bond, authorities said.
The sheriff’s office did not report any injuries in connection with the incident. Deputies encouraged property owners in rural areas to continue using surveillance tools such as game cameras, which they say often provide critical evidence in trespassing and theft cases.
Residents in the Carthage area who have additional information about Saturday’s incident or similar activity in the region are asked to contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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