NORTH VERNON, Ind. – Over a several-month investigation, the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office led an operation to help protect Jennings County children from sexual predators. As a result, deputies made 10 arrests. Random home checks were conducted involving registered sex and violent offenders in Jennings County.
Offenders are required to report their current address, telephone number, and vehicles they own or operate, plus they have to have a valid Indiana-issued identification card or driver’s license with their current address. Failure to adhere to any of these requirements is a felony. Five violations were found and arrests were made.
There were also five more apprehensions made for child solicitation. Sheriff Freeman stated, “The safety of our children is a priority and people not following what is required by law will be held accountable and arrested each and every time.”
Arrested for child solicitation and disseminating harmful material to minors were Brandon Strickland, 30, of North Vernon; Cody Powell, 35, of Attica; Richard Bunch, 59, of Columbus; Tilden Slone, 43, of Seymour; and Yeison Calderon, 29, of Westfield. Bunch was also charged with possession of meth.
The five men busted for failure to register as a sex or violent offender were Matthew Sowers, 49, Michael Brown, 51, Richard Cain, 62, Jonathan Moore, 34, and Joseph Wright, 54, all of North Vernon.
