Destin man arrested for alleged lewd and lascivious molestation

A Destin teen is accused of offering to pay a young acquaintance’s video game online fees and to give him cash in exchange for acts of a sexual nature.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has charged 19-year old Tristan Lee Sanders of West Commons Drive with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim under the age of twelve, lewd and lascivious solicitation, and possession of child pornography, according to a press release from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

Sanders was arrested Jan. 25 during the execution of a search warrant at his home by OCSO investigators.

The child reported to his parents that Sanders, who had offered to take him for a ride because he liked his car, instead took him to his apartment on Jan. 24 to play video games and told him he wanted the boy’s help in videotaping a “medical project for college.”

The boy was taken into Sanders bedroom, according to the release, and asked to do several inappropriate things of a sexual nature. The child became scared and resisted and says Sanders offered him from $20-$50 as well as to pay for his online gaming fees if he would comply.

The child began to cry and asked to be taken home. In the car, he says Sanders told him not to tell anyone because “the public did not need to know.” The boy went straight to his room as soon as he got to his house and came out to tell his parents what had happened as soon as Sanders left.

The boy also reported that during the encounter a computer facing the bed was turned on, and he could see a person’s face in the corner of the screen. He said he did not recognize the individual.