Man accused of possession of meth and child porn

(NORTH VERNON, Ind.) – The Jennings County Sheriff’s Department says a recent welfare check led deputies to find methamphetamine and child porn. 

Deputies were called to check on a vehicle that had been on the side of the road for 3 hours. 

Police said they gained probable cause to search the vehicle it led to them finding methamphetamine and paraphernalia. 

56-year-old Mark Stearns was arrested and police were then granted a search warrant to check his phone. 

Investigators say they found illicit child photos on the phone. 

A Jennings County Detective who is a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force was then granted additional warrants to search Stearns’ home and additional electronic devices. 

Stearns has been charged with Possession of Child Pornography, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Paraphernalia.