Tiffin police arrest Vermilion man in child sex sting operation

Tiffin, Ohio — Tristan Robert Westover, a 29-year-old resident of Vermilion, Ohio, was arrested on Saturday after a week-long internet crime investigation conducted by the Tiffin Police Department’s Detective Bureau.

Westover had been communicating on Snapchat with what he believed was a 13-year-old female but was actually law enforcement, according to a press release from TPD.

Westover allegedly arranged to travel to Tiffin to meet the girl for sex, but upon arrival, he was taken into custody by officers from Tiffin and Fostoria Police Departments and the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office. He was charged with three counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, importuning, and attempted unlawful sex with a minor, all felony offenses.

Westover is currently being held at the Seneca County Jail, pending a bond hearing.

The investigation began after a report was filed by the mother of a 13-year-old girl who had been contacted by the same account linked to Westover. According to Detective Lieutenant Mark Marquis, the mother and daughter played a crucial role in getting another child predator off the streets. Without their help, Westover would likely still be looking for other potential victims, Marquis said.

In the release, Chief David Pauly emphasized the importance of parents talking to their children about staying safe online. He also thanked all the law enforcement agencies involved in the operation and stressed that protecting vulnerable children is a top priority for law enforcement.

The case is now being forwarded to the Seneca County Prosecutor’s Office for review of possible additional charges and presentation to the grand jury.