Former JEMS director charged

A former Jay Emergency Medical Service director has been formally charged with multiple counts of drug possession.

John R. McFarland, 49, 805 W. Race St., Portland, was charged Monday in Jay Circuit Court with two Level 5 felonies, three Level 6 felonies and two misdemeanors for charges relating to possession of narcotics, controlled substances, marijuana and paraphernalia, as well as unlawful possession of a syringe.

Adams County prosecutor Jeremy Brown, who was named as the special prosecutor for the case, filed the charges.

McFarland was originally arrested on drug charges on March 6. He is set to appear for an initial hearing in court May 8.

Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, LaGrange Police Department and United States Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at McFarland's home in Portland after a five-month investigation, according to an Indiana State Police press release.

A probable cause affidavit filed Monday says Homeland Security Investigation led the search of the home and had to ram a door to gain entry. It adds that McFarland locked his bedroom door, again requiring the team to ram it open. He was then taken into custody.

The affidavit lists drugs and drug paraphernalia allegedly found in McFarland’s home, including 44 glass vials labeled morphine sulfate, 31 glass vials labeled fentanyl citrate, seven glass vials labeled midazolam, two glass vials labeled lorazepam, marijuana, syringes, needles and smoking devices.

During an interview with Indiana State Police detectives Lesley Knafel and Michael Tinch, McFarland admitted to trying methamphetamine, though he said he did not like it, the document says. It adds that McFarland admitted to taking morphine, fentanyl, syringes and needles home from Jay Emergency Medical Service.

The investigation originated from a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children cybertip report. Blackford County Sheriff's Office initially investigated the case before it was transferred to Indiana State Police. The alleged criminal activity was centered in Jay County.

McFarland previously served as a shift supervisor (director) and training officer for Jay Emergency Medical Service, as well as a part-time volunteer teacher providing EMS certification classes to students at Jay County Junior-Senior High School and a member of Portland Park Board.

He was fired from his role with Jay Emergency Medical Service on March 10. (Jay County Commissioners hired a new shift supervisor and training officer Monday. See related story.)

Following his initial arrest, school officials served him a trespass warning and he was forbidden to enter school district properties or facilities.

He is serving a voluntary suspension from the park board.

McFarland worked for Jay Emergency Medical Service since at least 2012, having served as a paramedic until 2017, when he transitioned to a shift supervisor role, according to information from the Indiana Gateway website.

McFarland was booked into Jay County Jail on March 6 and preliminarily charged with similar charges, along with two counts of theft. He was later released on a $15,000 bond.

In Indiana, Level 5 felonies carry a sentence of one to six years in prison. Level 6 felonies carry a sentence of six months to 2.5 years in prison.