Teen arrested for child molestation and related charges

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Major Case Unit reported the arrest of a 19-year-old Palm Coast man Thursday following an investigation into an on-line relationship he had with a juvenile girl.

Historic City News has learned that Karl Bruce Westgate met an 11-year-old girl on-line through the popular social media site “Facebook”. Westgate spoke to the victim about consumption of alcohol, smoking cannabis and sexual acts. The inappropriate conversations occurred daily and for several hours at a time.

“We have been investigating this incident for approximately three weeks,” said Sheriff James L. Manfre. “Our Major Case detectives worked diligently to protect this young victim.”

Westgate requested and coerced the victim to send nude photos of herself and in exchange, sent nude photos of himself. The relationship escalated when Westgate visited the home of the juvenile and committed sexual battery upon her.

Westgate was arrested and charged with lewd or lascivious molestation, sexual battery of a person less than 12-years-old, computer pornography transmission and child exploitation, and promoting sexual performance by a child. He is being held in the Flagler County Detention Facility without bond.