Mariposa man arrested for contacting teen for ‘lewd behavior,’ deputies report
A 25-year-old Mariposa man was arrested this week on suspicion of sending lewd photographs and arranging to meet a teenage girl for sexual purposes on the Internet, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department reported.
Matthew A. Tilton was booked into the Mariposa County jail on suspicion of distribution of lewd material to a minor, communicating with a minor for purposes of lewd behavior and arranging a meeting with the purpose of engaging in lewd behavior, the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
The arrest came after a weeklong sting on social media accounts on the Internet after deputies received reports of Tilton having “inappropriate conversations with minors,” officials said.
“Tilton began asking several inappropriate questions and sent explicit photos to a female he was aware was 14 years of age,” deputies said in the statement. “… Tilton contacted the underage teen and asked to meet with her to perform sexual activities, asking her several times to promise not to tell anyone.”
He remained in custody Friday on $100,000 bail, deputies said.
Investigators encouraged parents to be vigilant regarding the websites and social media accounts of their children.
Deputies are asking anyone with information regarding Tilton to contact investigators at 209-966-3615. For information regarding safety on the Internet and other social media, go to https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/parent-guide/parent-guide.
This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 2:27 PM with the headline "Mariposa man arrested for contacting teen for ‘lewd behavior,’ deputies report."