Affidavits Detail Events Leading to Joshua Larkin’s Death; Four Men Now Charged

Rita Shipp
Nov 19
4 min read

**Photos of the four men charged in connection with the disappearance of Joshua Larkin were displayed at Monday’s joint press conference in Newton. Photo by East Texas Banner**

Newton, Texas — Newly released probable cause affidavits reveal disturbing details surrounding the 2022 disappearance and death of Joshua Ian Larkin, leading to criminal charges against four men in a case that has spanned three years, multiple agencies, and an exhaustive investigation across Newton and Jasper counties.

The affidavits — filed November 17, 2025 and obtained by East Texas Banner — outline witness statements, forensic leads, and interviews that investigators say provided sufficient probable cause for a judge to issue warrants earlier this week. Two men were arrested Monday, while two others were already incarcerated in TDCJ custody and were served with warrants there.

The Charged Individuals

The following four men are now formally charged in connection with the disappearance and killing of Joshua Larkin:

Johnathan Cody Bierhalter, charged with
- Murder (1st-degree felony)
- Tampering with Physical Evidence – Corpse (2nd-degree felony)
- Arrested Monday in Houston by Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) with assistance from the Houston Police Department.
- Bond set at $750,000.
James Alex Jones, charged with
- Tampering with Physical Evidence – Corpse (2nd-degree felony)
- Arrested Monday in Kirbyville by NCSO and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO).
- Bond set at $250,000.

Justin Taylor James, charged with
- Murder (1st-degree felony)
  Currently in TDCJ custody; warrant served Monday.
Rodney Allen Blankenship, charged with
- Tampering with Physical Evidence (3rd-degree felony)
  Also currently in TDCJ custody; warrant served Monday.

What the Affidavits Allege

According to investigators, the chain of events began on November 17, 2022 when Joshua Larkin briefly returned to his mother’s home in Kirbyville before leaving to go hunting at a property in the Call community.

Witness statements in the affidavits allege:

Bierhalter believed Larkin had harmed his daughter, and expressed intentions to kill him. Multiple witnesses — including Bierhalter’s then-girlfriend — reported previous threats.
On November 17, witness Justin “JJ” James told investigators that he and Larkin were in a deer stand when Bierhalter approached with a handgun, pointed it at Larkin, and said: “You know what this is for. You get what you deserve.”
JJ told investigators Bierhalter then turned the pistol on him, ordering him to shoot Larkin or be killed himself. JJ stated he fired a .22 rifle at Larkin under duress, striking him in the throat.
JJ stated Larkin collapsed and did not move as Bierhalter kicked him in the head and left briefly before returning in a blue minivan.
The affidavits say Bierhalter and his brother, James Alex Jones, loaded Larkin’s body into the van, which belonged to Cheryl Wilson. The van’s interior later tested positive for evidence of cleaning with bleach and peroxide.
Bloodhound teams in 2022 reportedly tracked Larkin’s scent from the wooded area to the roadway, consistent with JJ’s account that the body was transported by vehicle.
Rodney Blankenship admitted directing JJ to break into Larkin’s vehicle to retrieve a shotgun and later throwing the gun into the Neches River, according to statements corroborated by physical evidence.

These sworn statements, combined with earlier interviews, forensic observations, and witness consistency, formed the basis for the probable cause findings.

Arrests & Acknowledgments

During Monday’s press conference, Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard said investigators presented the strengthened case to Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace Mike Greer, who issued the four arrest warrants based on the new evidence.

Sheriff Havard confirmed:

Bierhalter was arrested in Houston while in a rehabilitation facility.
Jones was arrested in Kirbyville by NCSO and JCSO.
James and Blankenship were already in TDCJ custody and were served with warrants there.

Havard emphasized the continued priority of finding Larkin:

“Although the remains of Larkin have not been located, we are committed to locating him and providing the Larkin family with closure.”

Havard also credited the intensive work conducted by investigators over the past year:

“I want to recognize the hard work of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office — Sheriff Chuck Havard, Investigator Calvin Starkie, and Investigator David Lampman. They have put hundreds of hours into this case.”

He further thanked Newton County District Attorney Courtney Ponthier and Jasper County District Attorney Anne Pickle, along with their offices, for ongoing coordination.

Background

According to original 2022 reports, Larkin was last seen the morning of November 17, 2022 at his mother’s home before leaving to go hunting. On November 18, his vehicle was found parked at a residence in Call, Texas. He was reported missing early the next morning, November 19, and entered into NCIC/TCIC shortly before 5 a.m.

The initial search spanned:

Newton County Sheriff’s Office
Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office
Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office
Trout Creek Volunteer Fire Department
Bloodhound tracking teams
Foot teams, ATVs, and UTVs

Searches were extensive but produced no physical recovery of Larkin’s remains — a fact unchanged as of today.

Investigation Continues

Despite the arrests, both sheriffs made clear that the case is not closed.

Authorities continue searching for Larkin’s remains and are actively pursuing additional leads based on witness interviews, forensic findings, and new information uncovered during the affidavit process.

Sheriff Havard reiterated: