DAVIESS COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — An investigation that began in Daviess County ended with the arrest of an Indiana man as well as a Missouri man related to possessing child sex abuse material.
According to Indiana State Police, the investigation began on June 26 when the Odon Town Marshal contacted an ISP detective with information regarding Matthew Taylor, 24, of Montgomery possibly being in possession of child pornography.
An investigation eventually led to ISP searching Taylor’s residence and electronics, where a detective reportedly found child sex abuse material as well as illegal drugs.
Additionally, the detective learned that Taylor had reportedly been trading said material with another man in the state of Missouri.
ISP then sent information to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Digital Forensics Investigations Unit, who began their own investigation. Based on that information Missouri troopers were able to seize a cell phone from Stephen Earl Raymond Marez, of Farmington, Mo. A search of the phone reportedly turned up more child sex abuse material including videos.
As a result of the multi-state investigation both men have been arrested and charged as follows;
- Matthew Taylor, 24, Montgomery, Ind.
- Possession of child pornography
- A level 5 felony
- Possession of methamphetamine
- A level 6 felony
- Possession of marijuana
- A class B misdemeanor
- Possession of paraphernalia
- A class C misdemeanor
- Possession of child pornography
- Stephen E. R. Marez, 31, Farmington, Mo.
- Possession of child pornography (x3)
- A class B felony
- Promoting child pornography
- A class B felony
- Possession of child pornography (x3)
A search of public court records show that Taylor has since been released from the Daviess County Jail after posting $1,000 cash bond. His bond had been set by Judge Dean A. Sobecki at $10,000 with 10% allowed.
Taylor is scheduled for a pre-trial conference on August 15 at 9 a.m., with his jury trial scheduled for November 14 at 9 a.m. in Daviess County Superior Court.
