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Facebook tip leads to arrest on child sex charges

Richard Wewer, 58, charged with unlawful sex with a minor, other charges

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Facebook tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities to possible enticement and molestation of a minor and led to an arrest, according to police.

A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrest report shows Richard Wewer, 58, is facing charges of online solicitation of a minor and unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

According to the report, a tip from Facebook last October led to an investigation.

Police contacted the victim and showed that person Facebook messages.

Police then brought Wewer in for questioning.

What he said is blacked out in the report, but when the session was done, he was arrested.

Cybersecurity expert Chris Hamer said it’s unusual for Facebook to pick up something like this and report it. He said he believes there may have been a triggering mechanism in place that caught something inappropriate.

As of Thursday, Wewer remained in the Duval County jail.

Neighbors told News4Jax that he lived alone and went by his middle name, Michael. They were shocked by his arrest.

“I just can’t believe it,” one neighbor said.


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Award-winning broadcast and multimedia journalist with 20 years experience.

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