LEWISTON, ID – Court records show an 18-year-old Lewiston man has been arrested on a charge of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16, following an investigation by the Lewiston Police Department.

A probable cause affidavit states the investigation began into Ty L.J. Lewis after a minor male reported inappropriate online communications with Lewis. Investigators allege the two initially communicated through social media before moving their conversation to Snapchat, where messages later became sexual in nature.

Court documents allege Lewis sent sexually explicit material to the minor and made requests for sexually explicit content in return. The reporting minor told investigators he became uncomfortable. A screen recording of the Snapchat conversation was provided to police, according to the affidavit.

The court filing further states that other Lewiston High School students may have been contacted by Lewis. Investigators report that at least one parent confirmed their child also allegedly received inappropriate messages and stopped communicating with Lewis after recognizing the seriousness of the conversation.

According to police, Lewis was approximately 18 years old at the time of the alleged conduct.  The probable cause documents allege that the inappropriate contact began around the same time Lewis had been serving as a position coach for the Lewiston High School junior varsity football team.

A warrant was issued in Nez Perce County for Lewis’ arrest and he was taken into custody by Clarkston Police on Friday and later extradited to Nez Perce County. As of Tuesday morning, he was in custody at the Nez Perce County Jail.

Lewis made his initial appearance in Nez Perce County Court on Tuesday afternoon.  Bond was set at $50,000.