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Man Allegedly Rapes Teen Girl Over Several Days After Luring Her To His Home With Lie About Being ‘Instagram Famous’
“He’s not a rapist, man. He’s got a thing for young girls, but he’s got to wise up and make sure they’re 18,” suspect Richard Brown's friend said after his arrest.
A Florida man allegedly allegedly raped a 17-year-old Texas teen over several days after luring her to his parent’s home where he was living by claiming he was “Instagram famous” and that he could “take care of her.”
The girl told allegedly told police she met Richard Brown, 25, online and that the two had communicated for three months. He told her he was 19 and “Instagram famous.”
He allegedly purchased her an Uber trip from San Antonio to Florida so that she could come and stay with him and the 17-year-old set off on the cross-country journey, WKMG reports.
But after she arrived in Florida and realized he wasn’t 19 years old or famous, she wanted to go home. She told police Brown forced her to stay because she “owed him for bringing her out here,” according to an affidavit obtained by the local station.
The girl told authorities that Brown allegedly raped her over three nights. She also told investigators that Brown was using marijuana and cocaine at the time and had also offered the drugs to her, the affidavit said.
She told police she was able to escape the home after he fell asleep, according to WFTV. She video-called her mother while she was trying to walk to a fire station for help. She later called 911.
When investigators spoke with Brown he told them that the two were “only friends and nothing more” and denied having sex with her, WESH reports. He also denied using drugs. Brown had an $822 Uber receipt showing he paid for a portion of the trip, but said he believed the girl was 18 and that she had simply needed a place to stay.
Brown has been charged with three counts of sexual battery on a child 12 to 17 by a person over 18, three counts of sexual assault with a 16- or 17-year-old and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Brown’s attorney claims there are “several inconsistencies” in the victim’s story.
A man who identified himself as Brown’s best friend, Zachary Russ, denied that his friend would have forced himself on the girl.
“He’s not a rapist, man. He’s got a thing for young girls, but he’s got to wise up and make sure they’re 18,” Zachary Russ told WESH.
Brown is being held on a $40,000 bond.
