On August 15th, in the early evening hours, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a 32-year-old adult, reporting that his 14-year-old daughter was a possible victim of voyeurism by her step-grandfather. It was further reported it was suspected the step-grandfather was involved in child pornography. The reporting party, and his daughter, came to the Sheriff’s Office for initial interviews.
At the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined the 14-year-old was also possibly the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of the step-grandfather. A forensic interview was scheduled at the Amy Center and the investigation continued, which led to search warrants for electronic devices and for the residence at 12382 N. Sparrow Ln Mt. Vernon, IL. The search warrant for the residence was served on August 21st and evidence was seized as part of the investigation.
Late Thursday Afternoon, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies and officers from Mt. Vernon Police responded to 12382 North Sparrow Lane to a disturbance with a subject armed with a knife. Upon arrival, the subject with the knife was identified as the suspect in this case, 56-year-old Darren L. Meyer. He was taken into custody on probable cause in this case and transported to the Jefferson County Jail.
Meyer faces one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse victim under 13 and ten counts of Possession of Child Pornography victim under 13.