By Jeff Lehr

jlehr@joplinglobe.com

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department’s investigation of an assault Tuesday night at a home on Ivy Road has led to felony charges against two men and the arrest of three other people for cultivating marijuana inside a Joplin home.

The investigation began when John M. Flinn, age not available, showed up Tuesday night at Freeman Hospital West with severe injuries from an assault.

Flinn required extensive medical treatment for broken ribs, broken facial bones, a punctured lung, lacerations and bone fractures in both hands, and bruising and lacerations across his back and legs, according to a probable-cause affidavit filed in the case. He was placed in the intensive-care unit of the hospital.

The Sheriff’s Department said in a news release Friday that an investigation determined that Flinn suffered the injuries in an incident about 6 p.m. Tuesday at 29923 Ivy Road. Jeffrey B. Thurston, 44, and Joseph C. Head, 39, both of Joplin, allegedly entered the home at that address and assaulted Flinn, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Thurston was armed with a pistol and held two other people at bay while Head allegedly beat Flinn with a steel pipe, according to the affidavit. Thurston allegedly pointed the gun at the witnesses as he and Head were leaving, and threatened to come back and kill them if they reported the matter to law enforcement.

Following up on their investigation, sheriff’s deputies went to 740 S. New Hampshire Ave. in Joplin on Thursday and arrested Head and Thurston. Three others were arrested when an indoor marijuana-growing operation was discovered at the address, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Head and Thurston each were charged with first-degree assault, first-degree burglary and armed criminal action. They remained in custody Friday on $50,000 bonds.

Charged with manufacturing a controlled substance were Carla L. Pangburn, 37, of Joplin; Hilaree R. Head, 17, of Duenweg; and Joseph O. Monterrosa, 17, of Joplin.