Modoc County correctional officer accused of sexually assaulting 16-year-old

A Modoc County correctional deputy was arrested this week following accusations of sexual assault on a minor.

Modoc County sheriff's detectives arrested correctional officer Tristin Anthony Compton, 21, on Wednesday. Compton could face multiple counts of unlawful sex with a minor and annoying or molesting a child under 18, according to a sheriff's press release. He has yet to be formally charged by prosecutors.

Investigators learned Monday that Compton was believed to have an "inappropriate relationship" with a 16-year-old girl, according to the sheriff's office. Authorities did not identify the girl.

"Compton was questioned on the allegations by detectives on Wednesday night and was subsequently arrested and booked into the Modoc County Jail," the sheriff's office said.

Compton's bail is set at $30,000.

The sheriff's office placed Compton on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, but Compton has since resigned, the sheriff's office said.

He is expected to be arraigned on potential charges early next week.

Correctional officers work for the sheriff's office. According to the sheriff's website, the role of correctional staff is to "supervise and care for inmates in the jail."

Modoc County Sheriff William Dowdy was not immediately available for comment.

How Compton came to work for sheriff's office

Compton began his on-the-job training with the sheriff's office on Oct. 10, 2018, according to a community coordinator report from the Alliance for Workforce Development.

The report states Compton had moved to the area from Southern California and came to Modoc Business and Career Network for help finding a job. He enrolled in the network's youth program and applied to become a correctional officer with the sheriff's office.

Compton had never worked in the law enforcement industry, the report states, so the sheriff's office agreed that on-the-job training would be a worthwhile opportunity.

Part of Compton's training included going to Shasta County for a month-long session on "correctional core training," according to the report. The training also covered how to deal with social issues like mental health. He received a completion certification for that course.

The report said Compton would continue on-the-job training until the end of January of 2019 to better prepare himself to work in the Modoc County Jail.

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Matt Brannon covers politics, the criminal justice system and breaking news for the Record Searchlight. Follow him on Twitter @MattBrannon_RS. Support local coverage and keep up with the North State for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.