The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s office filed four felony charges against a Carthage man Friday.
Leonardo Eliseo Rabanalez-Vasquez (DOB 1998) is being held in the Joplin City Jail on a $50,000 cash bond or $250,000 surety on two counts of domestic assault and single counts of resisting arrest and tampering with a witness in a felony prosecution.
From the probable cause statement:
On 04/17/2026 at 0343 hours, I, Officer Blevins, was dispatched to 417 North Moffet Ave Jasper County, Joplin, MO for an open 911 call.
During the call a male identifed as Leonardo Rabanalez-Vasquez could be heard telling the female identified as V1 {that he would} kill everyone if cops show up. They have been in a dating relationship since December 2025.
Leonardo told V1 if anyone pulls up to the house that she was dead and it was her fault. Leonardo continued making multiple threats to kill anyone that shows up to the house, and it would be all V1’s fault. V1 could be heard by dispatch saying her jaw hurt.
The threats continued even after our arrival at the address.
I began to give commands over the loudspeaker of my vehicle. After several commands, V1 approached us from the south side of the house and Leonardo was behind her with no shirt. Leonardo was given several commands to keep his hands in the air, stop where he was and go to the ground.
Leonardo ignored all commands and continued to walk quickly at officers with his hands balled up and chest in a flex manner. Leonardo was tased at this time. Once trying to place him into custody Leonardo then pulled his hands away from Officers, started to flex and said he was stronger than Officers.
Leonardo was tased again and held under power until he was placed into custody.
I then spoke to V1 who said Leonardo pushed her, then grabbed her from behind and began to squeeze as he held V1’s mouth and nose shut. Leonardo then threw V1 on the bed, got on top of her and began strangling her.
Once Leonardo got off of V1, V1 then called 911 and left it open for dispatch to listen.
V1 had marks consistent with her story.
Originally appeared on The Turner Report
