A 34-year-old Ocala man was arrested on a slew of charges after he allegedly gave a 17-year-old girl money and marijuana in exchange for sex and explicit photos.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after the 17-year-old victim’s sister became aware that the victim was “exchanging explicit depictions of herself for ‘drugs’,” according to the arrest report.
On Monday, September 22, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal observed a forensic interview of the victim, which was conducted by the Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection. The victim advised that she was 17 years old, and she had met a guy named “Evan” on the social media platform Instagram around a month ago.
“Evan” was identified in the report as Richard Evan Bastian.
The victim stated that approximately two weeks prior to the interview, Bastian drove to a building near her home, picked her up in his vehicle, and brought her to a local park. While inside the vehicle, the victim stated that Bastian became “handsy,” and they allegedly proceeded to engage in sexual activities on the back seat, according to the report.
During the interview, the victim stated that Bastian traveled to meet her a second time, and he allegedly brought marijuana for her. She stated that she took the marijuana and then “made up an excuse” to avoid having to spend more time with him.
According to the victim’s statement, Bastian planned on meeting her again on Tuesday, September 23, with the intention of engaging in the same “sexual behaviors.”
While speaking with investigators, the victim described how Bastian allegedly asked her for “sexually explicit” images of herself while they were messaging on Instagram and via text message. She further alleged that Bastian had paid her approximately $130 via PayPal for those images.
The corporal noted that the victim sent “numerous sexually explicit depictions of herself” to Bastian, including a video. The victim disclosed that Bastian also sent her a sexually explicit video of himself, which showed him masturbating, according to the report.
On Tuesday, September 23, Bastian was placed under arrest and transported to MCSO headquarters for further questioning. After being read his Miranda rights, Bastian allegedly admitted to communicating with the victim on Instagram, and the report mentioned that he referred to the victim as a “booty call.”
During the post-Miranda interview, Bastian allegedly corroborated the victim’s statement. He described the sexual encounter with the victim that allegedly occurred in his vehicle, and he mentioned that he paid the victim for the sexually explicit depictions that she sent him, according to the report.
The corporal noted in the report that Bastian made “disturbing statements” during the interview. Specifically, while speaking with investigators, Bastian allegedly mentioned how “the victim’s breasts were still worth him being in this situation.”
Bastian was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail, where he remains in custody. His bond has been set at $350,000, and he being charged with sex trafficking, sexual assault of an underage victim, solicitation of a child for unlawful sexual conduct, traveling to meet a minor, using or allowing a child to engage in a sexual performance, possession of child pornography, and transmission of harmful material to a minor.
A court date for Bastian has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.