Crime & Public Safety
Former college professor arrested in Palm Beach County after DNA links him to s3xual assault of 15-year-old
Law enforcement arrested 46-year-old Richard Tapia in Palm Beach County after forensic testing tied him to a s3xual assault investigation involving a 15-year-old girl. Flagler County deputies said the arrest followed confirmation that Tapia’s DNA was found in a s3xual assault kit connected to the teen.
Flagler County detectives say the investigation began July 22 when deputies responded to a Palm Coast hotel after the girl’s mother reported her runaway daughter was staying there with an adult man. Deputies located the girl leaving via a back stairwell and found Tapia moments later in the hotel lobby. Detectives allege Tapia met the girl through an online app, drove her from Jacksonville to Palm Coast, and sexually assaulted her multiple times at the hotel; he was initially arrested on a charge of interference with chld custody while the s3xual assault investigation continued.
Investigators conducted forensic interviews, analyzed Tapia’s cellphone and submitted a s3xual assault kit to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE testing, the sheriff’s office reports, confirmed Tapia’s DNA in the kit. On Sept. 22 a capias was issued charging Tapia with three counts of lewd or lascivious battery on a victim between 12 and 16.
Flagler County authorities say their Fugitive Apprehension Unit worked with the Florida Highway Patrol to locate and arrest Tapia in Palm Beach County. He is being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on a reported $350,000 bond while investigators continue to seek additional possible victims.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
More Palm Beach County news · Request a correction or case update
All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.