What happened: A former Miami Dade College professor accused of sexually assaulting a missing 15-year-old was taken into custody in Palm Beach County after DNA testing linked him to the case.
Background: Deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office say 46-year-old Richard Tapia of Palm Coast was re-arrested in Palm Beach County after forensic testing by the sheriff's office confirmed his DNA was present in a S3xual assault kit connected to a teen. The investigation began July 22, when deputies responded to a Palm Coast hotel after the girl’s mother reported that her runaway daughter was staying there with an adult man.
Deputies found the girl leaving the hotel through a back stairwell. Tapia was located moments later as he was leaving through the front lobby, according to the sheriff’s office.
The girl told deputies that Tapia assaulted her multiple times at the hotel. Tapia was initially arrested on a charge of interference with chld custody while detectives continued investigating the S3xual assault allegations.
Investigators later conducted forensic interviews and analyzed evidence from Tapia’s cellphone. A S3xual assault kit was also sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for testing.
22, a capias was issued for Tapia on three counts of lewd or lascivious battery on a VIC between the ages of 12 and 16.
The available details are limited to the information verified at publication time. Readers should expect updates as the matter develops.
Any person identified in connection with an alleged offense is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: official sources including CBS12 News.
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