Hamilton County officials confirm that 63-year-old Michael J. Mezo has been taken into custody in Corydon, Indiana, following information received by Hamilton County 911 Communications from Indiana State Police. Authorities say Mezo was found in possession of a stolen truck connected to a separate Hamilton County, Illinois case that occurred shortly after incidents investigated by the McLeansboro Police Department. Mezo will now go through the extradition process and is expected to be returned to Hamilton County, where he faces a lengthy and growing list of charges.
The investigation began Thursday, December 11th, when the McLeansboro Police Department, assisted by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at Mezo’s residence at 500 North Washington Street in McLeansboro. The search was part of an ongoing child pornography investigation. At that time, no arrest was made due to the stage of the investigation. However, police later reported that their investigations team identified multiple counts of possession of child sexual assault material. Just days later, in the early morning hours of Monday, December 15th at approximately 6:40 a.m., the Hamilton County Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting an active home invasion on Broadway Street in McLeansboro. The caller stated that a male intruder entered the home through the basement and attacked two senior citizens inside the residence. During the incident, the male victim was struck in the head with a brick, resulting in injuries that required medical attention. The victim later identified the intruder as Michael Mezo.
Law enforcement officials say Mezo’s arrest in Indiana brings together multiple investigations, and additional charges are expected as the case continues.