A Joplin man was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison without parole for conspiracy to distribute heroin, which caused the death of a 26-year-old Joplin man.

Lavar D. Beard, 34, was sentenced in federal court in Springfield.

He admitted in July that he distributed heroin in Jasper County from June 2011 to September 2011.  He also pleaded guilty to distributing heroin to Ryan Cockrell, of Joplin, who died after using the drug.

Two co-defendants, also from Joplin, already have been sentenced. Two other co-defendants from Joplin await sentencing.