(Photo credit: Jefferson County SO Facebook page)
A Mt. Vernon man is in custody following an investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office into allegations of sexual assault and child exploitation.
On Saturday, (December 20th) sheriff’s deputies arrested 22-year-old Michael W. McClanahan of Mt. Vernon on charges of Criminal Sexual Assault and Possession of Child Pornography. The arrest stemmed from an investigation that began December 5th, when deputies received a complaint alleging McClanahan was threatening an adult female.
As detectives followed up on the complaint, investigators uncovered evidence indicating McClanahan had sexual contact with multiple underage females in both Jefferson and Hamilton counties. Authorities obtained and executed a search warrant for McClanahan’s electronic devices, where additional evidence was reportedly discovered during a forensic examination.
The investigation remains ongoing. Sheriff’s officials are asking anyone with information related to the case, or anyone who may be a victim, to contact the Detective Division at 618-244-8004.
McClanahan is currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail while awaiting a pretrial detention hearing.