Mariposa man arrested after social media sting operation

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Mariposa County Sheriff's office said they arrested 25-year-old Matthew Tilton after they say he was having inappropriate conversations with a 14-year-old girl on social media.

Investigators said the conversations started long before Tilton acted inappropriately. However, at some point, he began sending explicit photos to the girl. On July 16th, investigators say Tilton asked to meet with the girl to perform sexual activities -- and asked several times for her to promise not to tell anyone.

When Tilton arrived at McCay Hall in Cathey's Valley to meet the girl, the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office was there to arrest him on charges of distribution of lewd material to a minor, communicating with a minor for purposes of lewd behavior, and arranging a meeting with a minor for purposes of lewd behavior.

He is being held on $100,000 bail.

The sheriff's office says the investigation is still ongoing. A search warrant was issued for Tilton's residence and his social media accounts in hopes of finding more evidence.