(Walhalla, SC)------------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested an Idaho Falls, ID man early yesterday morning on three outstanding arrest warrants on charges of Criminal Sexual Conduct – First Degree.
21 year old Tristan Lane Colson Leavitt, of 11th Street, was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center at around 1:31am Wednesday after being transported from Idaho to Oconee County after extradition proceedings were conducted. The Sheriff’s Office received word from Bingham County, ID on December 19th of last year that Leavitt was in custody in their jurisdiction.
At this time, Leavitt remains in jail as his bond was denied on all charges. Leavitt will appear before a Circuit Court Judge, at a later time, regarding his bond.
The Sheriff’s Office began an investigation back on February 6th of last year after receiving a report from a mandated reporter of a sexual assault of a child that occurred at an address near Walhalla back in the fall of 2023.
The investigation was turned over to a Violent Crimes Investigator from the Criminal Investigations Bureau. Based upon information that was provided in February of last year, the Investigator learned that Leavitt had left the state and was reportedly in Idaho.
Based upon evidence that was obtained during the investigation, the Investigator obtained arrest warrants against Leavitt charging him with performing sexual acts upon the child between September 29th and November 18th of 2023. The crimes involved only one victim.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation. Due to preserving the integrity of the investigation, and that of the victim, the Sheriff’s Office will not release any information that could, either directly and indirectly, identify the minor victim in this investigation.