Vastiana Thomas {BSO}
By Ryan Yousefi
A man faces lewd and lascivious behavior charges after a 14-year-old reported he masturbated in front of her.
On June 29, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office interviewed the victim, who told deputies a man, later identified as Vastiana Thomas, 39, of Tamarac, had acted inappropriately toward her, including masturbating in front of her.
The victim, who resides in Texas, alleged to deputies that while attempting to sleep on an air mattress at a relative’s home, Thomas laid down on the couch next to her, pulled a blanket up to his chest, and began talking to her inappropriately.
According to records, the victim detailed how Thomas began asking her increasingly inappropriate questions, including what she thinks of him, whether she’s asked her mother about sex, if she’s sexually active, what she would think about a 17-year-old paying to perform oral sex on her, and if she would be bothered if a man masturbated in front of her.
The victim told deputies she repeatedly let it be known she was uncomfortable and that Thomas asked her not to inform her mother of the conversations.
Arrest records indicate matters turned from inappropriate to criminal when Thomas began masturbating underneath his blanket, sat up, and progressively moved closer to the victim until he stood beside her while stroking his penis.
The victim told deputies she looked away and pulled the covers over her head but that she could still hear the sound of Thomas masturbating, and at one point, she said that he began whispering her name over and over.
In a desperate plea for help, the victim told deputies she video-called a friend while underneath the covers and sent several text messages to friends indicating Thomas had asked her to turn on her laptop light so he could more clearly see her while masturbating.
During the victim’s interview, BSO deputies conducted a controlled call in which Thomas admitted to asking the victim about her sex life but denied masturbating in front of her.
After interviewing the victim and receiving additional evidence, law enforcement took Thomas into custody and questioned him about his actions.
Thomas continued his denials about the victims’ claims, adding that his penis remains flaccid at all times due to a rug burn he suffered to his genitals two years prior.
When asked for further evidence of this injury, Thomas could not provide proof of a proper medical diagnosis or that he had sought medical treatment.
Thomas was arrested and transported to the Broward County Main Jail, where he was later released after posting a $15,000 bond.
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Author Profile
- Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.
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