Lang
5/10/24
A citizen investigation has led to the arrest of a Washington County man on charges he tried to entice a minor into sexual activities.
According to a Washington County Police Department news release, officers were made aware last weekend that a Washington man had been using a social media app to communicate with a person he believed was 13 years old for the purpose and intent to commit an illegal sex act upon the minor.
Further investigation revealed that a video of the suspect was online showing him being confronted about the incident and making some admissions. Investigators identified the suspect as 53-year-old Reuben Eicher. Eicher was interviewed by officers and a search warrant was executed to seize and search his cellphone.
On Wednesday, Eicher was arrested at his home and has been charged with Enticing a Minor, a class D Felony punishable by a maximum of five years in prison.
Washington Chief of Police Jim Lester admits the citizen-made video was helpful in the investigation, but he’s also issued a statement discouraging citizens from conducting their own investigations and taking actions that could hinder or interfere with possible ongoing investigations.