Crestview man arrested on sexual battery charges

Franklin Forrest Jr.

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has filed charges of sexual battery on a victim over age 12 and contributing to the delinquency of a minor against Crestview resident Lyle Franklin Forrest Jr.

Forrest, 39, was arrested Oct. 8 in connection with the sexual molestation of a teenage girl. The teen said that prior to the sexual activity, he would give her alcoholic beverages, marijuana or illegal pills, according to an OSCO news release.

The victim told investigator Ralph Garrett the sexual batteries began when she was 14 years of age and continued until she was 17, the release stated.

Forrest, meanwhile, reportedly said it could have happened and he didn’t remember it, citing his use of alcohol and Xanax.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man arrested on sexual battery charges