TAVERNIER, Fla. – A South Florida social media video creator used his platform to groom and molest a young girl, leading deputies to jail him on a felony charge, according to an arrest warrant made public on Monday.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Richard Hayward Eddins, 65, of Tavernier, on a charge of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12 on Friday.
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Eddins, authorities said, portrayed himself as a content creator “who focused on teaching children philanthropy and environmentalism.”
His digital footprint shows nearly a decade-and-a-half of videos taken across South Florida — not only in the Florida Keys, but in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Many of the clips prominently featured children, particularly young girls. Some were recorded at schools in the Keys.
Local 10 News is not disclosing the name of Eddins’ website or the dates of the alleged abuse to avoid identifying the victim or potential victims.
Authorities said he used his platform to gain the trust of one victim and her mother and molested the girl at the age of 7. The arrest warrant states that Eddins was able to convince the girl’s mother to let him spend time alone with her.
Authorities said Eddins would take the victim to his home, where he “would have her undress in front of him, record her while she was naked and showering and engage in inappropriate behavior with her.”
Following Eddins’ arrest at his home on Harbor Drive, an MCSO spokesperson said “several pieces of electronic equipment and storage devices were seized” and deputies expected to pursue additional charges.
Following his arrest, officials noted Eddins’ online presence and asked anyone with additional information to call MCSO at 305-289-2410.
According to jail records, Eddins remained in MCSO’s Plantation Key jail facility on a $200,000 bond as of Monday afternoon.