Licking man arrested on charges of child molestation

Photo courtesy of Texas County Sheriff’s Office
Justin Leyburn

Justin Leyburn, age 24, of Licking, was arrested on September 8, 2025, and charges were filed the following day stemming from a 2022 incident involving a 13-year-old female.

Charges included Statutory Sodomy or Attempted Statutory Sodomy – Deviate Sexual Intercourse – Person Less Than 14 Yoa, Possession of Child Pornography – 1st Offense, and Child Molestation – 3rd Degree – Child Less Than 14 Yoa.

An investigation was opened on December 31, 2022, when the Texas County Sheriff’s Office received a report of Leyburn exchanging nude photos with a 13-year-old female. The phones of both subjects had been destroyed. During an interview at that time, Leyburn admitted to exchanging the photos.

On August 11, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office was provided with photos from Leyburn’s SnapChat account. During this phase of the investigation, it was reported that Leyburn had touched the victim inappropriately as well. Leyburn admitted to law enforcement that the incident had occurred around Christmas of 2022.

A cash bond of $3,000.00 was set.