JEMS director arrested on drug, theft charges

One of Jay Emergency Medical Service’s directors was arrested Thursday for multiple felonies relating to theft and drugs.

John R. McFarland, 48, 805 W. Race St., Portland, was booked into Jay County Jail on Thursday afternoon and preliminarily charged with two counts of possession of a narcotic drug, unlawful possession of a syringe and theft.

The narcotic charges are a Level 5 and a Level 6 felony, while the syringe and theft charges are both Level 6 felonies. 

He was also charged with a Class B misdemeanor for possession of marijuana and a Class C misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was released from jail on a $15,000 bond.

In addition to his role with Jay Emergency Medical Service, McFarland is also a part-time volunteer teacher for Jay School Corporation and serves on Portland Park Board.

According to an Indiana State Police press release issued Friday afternoon, 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.

Authorities discovered and seized narcotic drugs, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, the release says.

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, according to the release.

Jay County Commissioners president Chad Aker said Friday that McFarland has been placed on administrative leave with pay from Jay Emergency Medical Service. Commissioners scheduled an executive session for 4 p.m. Monday with a special session to follow at 4:30 p.m. Monday to address the issue.

McFarland has 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 provided EMS certification classes to students at Jay County Junior-Senior High School. Parents of students involved in the EMS certification program were notified of McFarland’s arrest immediately after school officials were informed, according to a statement emailed Friday from Jay School Corporation superintendent Jeremy Gulley.

“McFarland has been served with a trespass warning by school officials,” Gulley said in the email. “He is forbidden to enter any school district properties or facilities.”

The school corporation “had received no information that these charges involve an enrolled student” at Jay Schools, the release says.

As of Friday, there had been no change to McFarland’s status as a member of Portland Park Board.

The case remains under investigation, Indiana State Police said in its press release.