JEFFERSON COUNTY — Bond has been set at $250,000 for a 36-year-old Mt. Vernon man arrested Monday on multiple child pornography charges.

James E. Hembree was formally charged in Jefferson County Court Wednesday with five Class X felony counts of possessing child pornography depicting a victim under the age of 13.

According to Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard, his office received a tip as part of their membership in Homeland Security’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

After a search warrant for records enabled detectives to narrow down their list of suspects, a second search warrant was issued for a residence in the 300 block of Herbert in Mt. Vernon.

Detectives had been made aware Hembree could also have drug involvement, so narcotics detectives participated in the search of the home where they also reportedly recovered methamphetamine.

He was transported to the Jefferson County Jail and State’s Attorney Sean Featherstun formally charged him Wednesday with five Class X felony counts of reproducing child pornography of a victim under the age of 13, as well as Class 3 felony possession of less than 5 grams of meth.

Judge Michael Valentine advised Hembree of the charges against him and possible sentences if convicted. Judge Valentine also set bond in the case at $250,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing for July 26.