Miami Gardens pastor facing multiple fraud charges reversed course in court on Monday, accepting a plea deal just one week after rejecting the same offer.
Eric Readon, 49, pastor of New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church, pleaded guilty in a Miami-Dade courtroom to charges stemming from a years-long case involving financial exploitation and real estate fraud. He had originally faced up to 65 years in state prison.
Assistant State Attorney and Economic Crimes Unit Director Anthony Gil told the court that Readon “will ultimately serve 364 days in jail, 15 years’ probation, and pay $180,000 restitution to Edward Fuller,” a retired postal worker who was the central figure in the case.
“I just want closure, judge,” Readon said during Monday’s hearing.
Readon was originally charged with organized fraud, exploitation of the elderly, theft, and grand theft. In 2017, Fuller alleged that the pastor took advantage of him during the construction of a home meant to be passed on to his children. Fuller claimed Readon offered to assist with securing a construction loan and convinced him to transfer part ownership of the property. Readon then allegedly sold the home without Fuller’s knowledge and kept the proceeds.
Fuller has since relocated out of state to be near family.
Although Readon was taken into custody Monday, it was not for the Fuller case. He was detained on a warrant related to a separate grand theft auto case recently reopened in Miami-Dade. Both cases will now be consolidated under the new plea agreement.
The judge granted Readon a temporary release to get his affairs in order, with strict conditions. He is expected to turn himself in on July 15 to begin serving his sentence.
“If you are re-arrested, if you are cited, if you are arrested for a traffic ticket, if you do anything that is in violation of this plea agreement, you forgo those 364 days. You understand me?” the judge asked. Readon responded, “Yes.”
Court records also show Readon accepted a no-contest plea in a separate Broward County case involving allegations of property fraud in Davie and Lauderdale Lakes. He agreed to pay nearly $200,000 in restitution to those victims.
Additional claims have surfaced over the years, including accusations from Lorenzo Johnson, who said Readon stole and forged a $9,000 check from his daycare, and Latisha Blue, who successfully sued the pastor after he allegedly failed to deliver a vehicle she purchased.
Readon’s financial troubles have been well-documented, including evictions from multiple rental homes and the foreclosure of his church.
If Readon violates the terms of his probation, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
