MT. VERNON – A Mt. Vernon man was sentenced Friday in Jefferson County Court to 30 years in state prison for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse with a victim under 13 years old.

Judge Jerry Crisel sentenced 57-year-old Darren L. Meyer to the maximum allowed under the terms of a negotiated plea.

The conviction and sentence are a result of a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigation initiated on Aug.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. Evidence was recovered indicating criminal activity.

On Aug. 23, 2023, deputies assisted by officers from Mt. Vernon Police Department responded to a disturbance call at Meyer’s home. Meyer was taken into protective custody at that time, transported by Litton Ambulance to SSM Good Samaritan Hospital, and 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 currently held in the Jefferson County Jail awaiting his transfer to the Illinois Department of Correction.