STEWART COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) -- Several weeks after a man was arrested in Texas for multiple child sex offenses in Middle Tennessee, the local charges were dropped so the FBI could pursue federal charges.
Following an investigation into a minor who met a person on social media, the Stewart County Sheriff's Office announced on Feb. 12 that Devin Gideon of Cape Fair, Missouri, was picked up in Texas the week before for various charges, including aggravated statutory rape, criminal responsibility, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Deputies planned to travel to the Lone Star State within a few days and bring Gideon back to to Stewart County.
Investigators believe Gideon met the minor through Snapchat, arranged a meeting with two other adults, drove in from Texas with the adults to meet the juvenile, and brought the juvenile to a motel. Drugs and alcohol were found inside the motel room. After the alleged rape, the three suspects left the victim and the motel.
Stewart County Sheriff Frankie Gray said a deputy was patrolling the area as the three adults were inside the room with the victim. That deputy took down the car’s tag number, which showed the car was registered to Gideon. Authorities also interviewed the victim and searched motel registration records, leading to Gideon being identified as a suspect.
As of Feb. 12, officials said they were still searching for a woman and another man in connection with the case, but the investigation was still ongoing, with the assistance of the FBI.
Authorities said this was the "second such incident of this nature" that has occurred in Stewart County recently, with deputies arresting a person living in Texas a few months ago.
On Friday, March 8, the sheriff's office announced the charges it brought against Gideon were dismissed last week in order to let the FBI take charge, adding that the FBI served Gideon with warrants as soon as the Stewart County charges were dropped.
According to Gray, the decision was made after the District Attorney's Office, the FBI and the sheriff's office agreed "it was more beneficial for the FBI to take the charges."
Officials said Gideon could have to serve a longer amount of time under federal sentencing guidelines. In addition, the alleged crime crossed state lines, so other charges could be filed as part of this active investigation.
Gideon was reportedly picked up on Monday, March 4 and taken to a federal prison.
Authorities said the charges against the female suspect in the case, Bayleigh Dollison, were served when she was taken into custody in Nevada two weeks ago. However, she will not be brought to Tennessee until Nevada and Texas deal with the charges she faces in those two states.
As of this writing, the investigation into the remaining male suspect is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Gray urges parents to pay close attention to their children's activities on social media in order to keep them safe.
For a full list of ways to protect your children, click here.
from WKRN News 2 https://ift.tt/mcEh1Cf
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