WARREN COUNTY, Ind. — A man and woman have been arrested by Indiana State Police after an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.
Richard Lark, 36, of Pine Village, was arrested last December by ISP troopers on charges of sexual misconduct with a minor, child exploitation and possession of child porn. Megan Vessels, 32, of Fowler, was arrested Thursday for promoting the sexual trafficking of a young child.
The investigation began last December after the Warren County Sheriff’s Office received allegations that Lark was involved in sexual misconduct with a minor. The Sheriff’s office soon requested help from ISP Lafayette Post detectives.
In late December, ISP detectives had gathered enough evidence to apply for and obtain a search warrant. That warrant was executed at a home in Pine Village where additional evidence was found and Lark was taken into custody.
Lark was then booked into the Warren County Jail on the following charges:
- Sexual Misconduct with a Minor – Level 4 Felony
- Five counts
- Child Exploitation – Level 5 Felony
- Possession of Child Pornography – Level 6 Felony
- Three counts
As the investigation continued, detectives found out that Vessels had allegedly been driving the minor victim to and from Lark’s home. Vessels reportedly knew that sexual relations were occurring and continued transporting the child.
On April 10, ISP troopers located Vessels and she was taken into custody without incident. She has been preliminarily charged with one count of Promotion of Sexual Trafficking of a Younger Child – a Level 3 Felony.
Online records show that an initial hearing was held in Lark’s case on Dec. 30, 2024, in Warren Circuit Court. His bond has been set at $25,000 surety or $2,500 cash. Records show he was assigned a probation officer on Jan. 22. A jury trial in his scheduled to begin on June 3.
Meanwhile, Vessels is being held at the Warren County Jail on a $15,000 surety bond. Online court records have not yet been updated to reflect an initial hearing in her case.
Online court records show Vessels has a criminal history in Indiana that includes charges of possessing a controlled substance, theft, possession of a synthetic drug, driving while intoxicated, driving while suspended and more.
Meanwhile, Lark only has minor criminal infractions on his record that include speeding and driving without a license.
