"Our detectives followed the evidence and built a strong case against this predator who took advantage of a vulnerable child."
A former Miami Dade College professor has been re-arrested on charges of lewd or lascivious battery on a minor. Forensic testing confirmed that his DNA was present in a sexual assault kit involving a missing 15-year-old girl.
46-year-old Richard Tapia was initially arrested back in July after investigators located him at the hotel where the teenager was staying. The girl was seen leaving the hotel through the back exit while Tapia exited through the lobby. Investigators determined that Tapia had met the teen through an online app and had picked her up.
Tapia was charged at the time with interference with child custody. The teen, however, later told deputies that Tapia had raped her multiple times at the hotel, prompting a sexual assault investigation. A sexual assault kit was subsequently submitted for testing, which confirmed the presence of Tapia’s DNA and led to a warrant for his arrest on additional charges, per the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
“This mother’s determination helped us find her daughter which started the investigation on this pervert,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly in a statement. “Our detectives followed the evidence and built a strong case against this predator who took advantage of a vulnerable child.”
Tapia’s arrest was carried out in coordination with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit and Florida Highway Patrol. Tapia was taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is being held on a $350,000 bond. The sheriff’s office said it believed that there may be other victims.
Tapia began working at Miami Dade College in 2010 as a professor of political science. According to the college’s student newspaper, The Reporter, Tapia ran as a Democratic candidate for a Florida House seat in 2018. Tapia previously served as a member of the zoning and Code Enforcement Boards for the City of Miami, as well as the Miami-Dade County Planning Advisory Board.
Officials at the college said that Tapia was fired “upon learning of the matter.”
“The allegations are deeply disturbing and wholly inconsistent with the values and standards of our institution,” the college said.
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