NEWBURGH, Ind. — A former local Democratic Party leader and his homosexual partner have been arrested and now face sexual misconduct charges after allegedly being in a sexual relationship with a teenage boy.

Justin Jarvis, 43, and Robert Owen, 38, were arrested on Wednesday following an investigation by the Warrick County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana. Jarvis had formerly served as the political director of the Vanderburgh County Democratic Party.

According to reports, the teen’s parent contacted the sheriff’s office in October to report the relationship. It is believed that the men had been in contact with the boy, now 16, for approximately a year.

The teen was subsequently interviewed by detectives, and it was discovered that he and Jarvis had exchanged sexually explicit images, which were found on the boy’s phone.

The teen advised authorities that he met Jarvis through a dating app, and while he admitted that he lied about his age at first, he said he did soon tell Jarvis the truth.

He also said that some of his sexual encounters with the men were recorded, and advised that he had willingly engaged in sex with Jarvis and Owen 10 to 15 times each.

When police searched the men’s home, they found a number of sex tapes featuring the teen, just as he had said. They also found marijuana and a smoking pipe, as well as a bag that investigators believe contained meth residue. The teen stated that Jarvis had given him pot and Adderall during visits.

Both Jarvis and Owen were arrested on Wednesday.

Jarvis faces two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, three counts of child exploitation, one count of child pornography, one count of possession of marijuana, and one count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors, among other charges. Owen has been charged with two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.

The men were released from Warrick County Jail after posting $4,000 bail.

According to the Courier Press, the FBI assisted in the investigation, which was a part of the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

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