In Owen County, deputies performed a county wide sex offender compliance check with the assistance of the United States Marshal Service called “Operation Gotcha”. As a result of this operation, numerous arrests were made.

Deputies and federal marshals even assisted the Cloverdale Police Department with multiple arrests.

A felony warrant was also served in the town of Gosport. Johney Hester of Gosport was arrested as deputies and federal marshals executed a felony arrest warrant issued by the Owen County Circuit Court. Hester was arrested and booked into the Owen County Security Center for one count of Child Molestation and one count of Possession of Child Pornography.

The investigation leading to the arrest warrant is still ongoing and all charges are preliminary.

During his arrest deputies and marshals observed indicators of additional illegal activity within Hester’s apartment, and a search warrant was obtained. The execution of this search warrant resulted in the discovery and seizure of large quantities of narcotics.

Additional charges may be filed against Hester.