Mt. Vernon man sentenced to 30 years for aggravated criminal sexual abuse

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) – A Mt. Vernon man was sentenced to 30 years in state prison for aggravated criminal sexual abuse with a victim under 13 years of age.

Darren L. Meyer, 57, of Mt. Vernon was sentenced on August 9 by the Honorable Judge Crisel.

The sentence was the maximum allowed under the terms of a negotiated plea.

A Jefferson County Sheriff Office investigation was initiated on August 15, 2023. The investigation involved search warrants for Meyer’s home plus interviews, some of which were assisted by the Amy Schulz Child Advocacy Center.

Sheriff’s deputies say evidence recovered in the investigation indicated criminal activity.

Deputies and officers from Mt. Vernon Police Department responded to a disturbance call at Meyer’s home on August 23, 2023.

Meyers was taken into protective custody at that time, transported by Litton Ambulance to SSM Good Samaritan Hospital. Upon completion of his evaluation, he was arrested for criminal charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse with a victim under 13 years of age and 10 counts of child pornography.

Meyer is being held in the Jefferson County Jail awaiting his transfer to the Illinois Department of Correction.