BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Miami Gardens pastor Eric Readon was taken back into custody Thursday after a Broward County judge revoked his bond, citing a violation of the terms of his pretrial release.
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Readon, who just bonded out of jail Friday night on grand theft auto charges, had told Local 10 News at the time, “It’s a misunderstanding… it’ll all get cleared up.”
However, in court Thursday morning, Judge Ernest Kolla sided with prosecutors.
Readon has pending fraud-related cases in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Assistant State Attorney Susan Hugentugler told the court that Readon misled Braman Motors in Miami by providing what appeared to be proof of a $25,000 wire transfer for a luxury SUV.
The dealership, believing the payment had been made, released the vehicle to him. Days later, Braman officials discovered the wire transfer was fake and asked Readon to return the SUV.
Prosecutors say Readon promised to bring it back but never did.
“The fact of the matter is for one month he had this car,” Hugentugler said in court. “He knew full well he was supposed to pay the money. They can’t say now, ‘OK, pay us the money. State go away.’”
According to prosecutors, April 22 was the last time the dealership had any communication with Readon.
“They were lied to,” Hugentugler told the judge. “He tricked them into believing the $25,000 would be wired to them, when it had not been. That was a fake — it’s not a real wire transfer. He gave them the keys and took the car under false pretenses.”
Readon’s attorney, Andrew Kassier, argued that his client has since worked out a plan to pay for the SUV and should be allowed to remain out of custody.
Readon is currently facing multiple charges in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties, including organized fraud, exploitation of the elderly and grand theft. The charges stem from a series of alleged financial schemes involving elderly victims, bounced checks and property disputes.
His most recent arrest occurred after a license plate reader flagged the SUV as stolen.
Police found Readon driving the vehicle in Pembroke Pines and took him into custody without incident.
The SUV had been reported stolen by Braman Motors after Readon allegedly failed to make good on the phony wire transfer.
Readon remains in custody without bond. His next court date has not yet been scheduled.