ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. - A 44-year-old Eunice man is accused of multiple child sex crimes after meeting a juvenile on an online dating site.
On November 11, 2019, the Juvenile Section of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office arrested Anthony James Richardson and charged him with pornography involving juveniles, computer solicitation, and sexual battery of a victim under the age of 14 years old, according to Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz.
The grandfather of the victim caught Richardson and his grandson together then reported it to authorities, stated in a report.
The victim and Richardson allegedly met on the social media site called Grinder. Both the victim and Richardson lied about their ages then exchanged nude pictures and arranged to meet at a location to engage in sexual intercourse, stated in a release from the Sheriff.
Once there, Richardson allegedly committed sexual battery on the victim.
Investigators say the victim stated Richardson began to scare him and made him feel uncomfortable.
A vehicle then was heard coming up the driveway and Richardson fled out the back door. He was located hiding in a tree on the property.
According to the investigation, Richardson admitted to meeting the victim on the social media site and exchanging nude pictures of each other before engaging in sexual conversation. Richardson blamed the victim for asking him to engage in the sexual acts between the two, stated in the release.
Richardson was arrested on the charges and processed in the parish jail.
His bond was set at $40,000.
