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A Fayetteville man faces multiple felony charges in Coweta County after investigators say he created a fake social-media account to threaten and attempt to exploit a teenager he personally knew.
According to the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, 45-year-old Richard Dale Cooper was arrested and charged with terroristic threats and acts and computer or electronic pornography and child exploitation. Both offenses are felonies.
Deputies were called late the night of January 13, 2025, after a family reported receiving threatening Facebook messages from an account under the name “Justin Brooke.” When investigators arrived, they reviewed messages in which the user allegedly made lewd sexual comments toward the juvenile victim, sent explicit photos and photos of guns, and wrote, “I’ll kill you.”
The perpetrators comments showed signs of being aware of the victim’s residence, as they referenced vehicles that would have been parked at the victim’s home, including a white truck belonging to a family friend. Officers also noted signs of possible forced entry at the home’s door.
Using screenshots and reverse-image searches, investigators determined that the profile photos used by “Justin Brooke” were stolen from unrelated online profiles. Electronic evidence requests were sent to Facebook, and detectives later linked the account to Cooper.
“The offender personally knew the victim and used a fake account to contact them,” said Sgt. Christopher Ricketson, Public Information Officer for the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office. He said Cooper appeared to be “trying to entice the victim into sending explicit and indecent items via digital messaging.”
Investigators traced the digital activity and, after months of work with social media platforms, identified Cooper as the suspect. He was arrested September 25, and booked into the Coweta County Jail. Court records show he has since posted bond.
“The victim has been made aware that the offender has been bonded out,” Ricketson said. “The victim no longer lives in Coweta County and knows to call 911 if any contact is made. The victim’s family has been advised of Temporary Protective Order procedures.”
The case is listed as cleared by arrest in sheriff’s office reports. Ricketson confirmed both charges remain active.
The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office used the arrest to remind parents and guardians about the risks of online interactions. “We recommend that parents be aware of social-media platforms their children are using and utilize parental controls if available,” Ricketson said. “Encourage open communication with your children so they feel comfortable sharing anything that makes them feel uncomfortable online.”
He added that caregivers should talk frankly about online grooming, scams, and exploitation: “Explain the risks of talking to strangers online—these conversations save kids from danger.”
Anyone in Coweta County who believes they or their child may be a victim of harassment or exploitation can call 911 or visit the Sheriff’s Office at 560 Greison Trail in Newnan to speak directly with an investigator.
For Fayette readers, also call 911 to report cybercrimes like the one Cooper has been charged with.
Cases like this, investigators say, show how easily a predator can hide behind a screen name—even when the victim already knows them offline. While the Sheriff’s Office cannot share details about the juvenile victim, officials hope the community uses this case as a reason to monitor children’s online activity and report anything suspicious immediately.
“Our deputies and investigators take these reports seriously,” Ricketson said. “We would rather look into a concern early than have a young person endangered.”
Booking photos of the suspect were provided by the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office.
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