Florida Man Allegedly Told Underage Battery Victim He Was 'Instagram Famous'

Richard Brown, 25, also reportedly lured the girl from Texas and paid for her $822 Uber ride to Florida.

March 25, 2019
Mug shot of Richard Brown [Orange County Police]

Photo by: Mug shot of Richard Brown [Orange County Police]

Mug shot of Richard Brown [Orange County Police]

By: Mike McPadden

APOPKA, FL — A 25-year-old Florida man is accused of sexual battery after he allegedly lured a 17-year-old girl to his home by claiming he was “Instagram famous.”

The suspect also reportedly paid an $822 in Uber fees to transport the girl from Texas to Florida.

Richard Brown, 25, faces multiple counts of sexual battery, sexual assault, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

According to the arrest affidavit, the victim said she initially encountered Brown online, where he claimed to be 19 years old, wealthy, and “Instagram famous.”

The teenager further alleged that Brown paid $822 for two Uber rides — one that took her from her home in Texas to Louisiana, and a second that went from Baton Rouge to his residence in Apopka, Florida. During the course of that journey, the girl was reported missing in Texas.

Upon arriving, the victim reportedly realized that Brown had been lying and wanted to leave. Instead, she alleges, Brown refused to let her go and said she “owed him for bringing her out here.”

The victim told police that Brown raped her repeatedly over the ensuing three nights. She also alleged that he used marijuana and cocaine, and offered both substances to her.

The girl said she escaped while Brown was asleep, and video chatted with her mother while trying to walk to a fire station before she just dialed 911 for help.

After being arrested, Brown reportedly told detectives that he was friendly with the girl, but he believed she was 18. He also denied any kind of sexual contact or using drugs with her.

Officials said they found the Uber receipt that showed Brown had paid for the girl’s interstate travels.

Richard Brown is being held at the Orange County Jail on $40,000 bond.

Read more: Click Orlando, Fox News

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