Miami Pastor Tries to Undo Guilty Plea — Blames News Coverage for Ruining His Life

Miami Gardens, FL — Once a trusted spiritual leader, Pastor Eric Readon now finds himself at the center of a legal and media storm — and he’s blaming both the justice system and the press for what he claims was a coerced guilty plea.

In a stunning turn, Readon has filed a motion to withdraw his plea in a fraud and elder exploitation case, claiming he only agreed to the deal under intense pressure, specifically citing Local 10 News coverage as a key factor in his decision.

The Plea — and the Backpedal

Back in 2022, Readon was charged with stealing $267,000 and the home of 76-year-old Edward Fuller, a longtime churchgoer who trusted Readon. Prosecutors accused him of manipulating the elderly man into signing over property and funds.

In exchange for avoiding trial, Readon accepted a plea deal that included:

• 364 days in jail

• 15 years of probation

• $180,000 in restitution

• Consolidation of other charges, including a grand theft auto case in Broward County

At the time, the plea appeared to offer closure for Fuller and other alleged victims. But now, just days before he’s scheduled to begin serving time, Readon wants to back out.

Media Pressure or Legal Reality?

In a motion filed Friday, Readon claimed that the media spotlight, particularly from Local 10 News, made it impossible for him to receive a fair process.

“The coverage vilified me and destroyed my family’s reputation,” Readon stated in the motion, noting his wife’s career as a schoolteacher was also affected. “I felt like I had no other option but to plead guilty.”

He alleges that the media reports — which highlighted the full extent of the fraud allegations, including additional victims — created a perception of guilt that swayed public opinion and ultimately influenced his decision.

The Legal Loophole

Readon’s attorneys are invoking Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.170(f), which allows a defendant to withdraw a guilty plea prior to sentencing if the court believes it was made involuntarily or under unfair pressure.

Legal experts say such motions are rarely successful, especially after a lengthy negotiation and acceptance of plea terms. However, citing media influence adds a unique angle that could make this case more complex.

“It’s not impossible,” said criminal defense attorney James P. Rowe, who is not connected to the case. “But it’s a very high bar to prove the media actually caused involuntariness in a legal context.”

More Legal Trouble Looms

Readon’s motion comes amid a new arrest warrant tied to the Broward auto theft case that was rolled into the plea deal. He was briefly detained again but was expected to be released under the same sentencing structure — unless his motion to withdraw is granted.

If Judge Christine Hernandez rejects the motion and Readon fails to begin his jail term on time, he could face the original maximum sentence: up to 30 years in prison.

Victim’s Family Reacts

The motion hasn’t sat well with those close to Edward Fuller, who passed away last year.

“This was supposed to be over,” said Lisa Harmon, a niece of Fuller. “He stole from a man who trusted him, a man who saw him as a leader — and now he wants to pretend none of that happened?”

The victim’s family expressed frustration, calling the new filing “a delay tactic” and saying it’s only reopening wounds they were trying to heal.

The Bigger Picture

This case is about more than just one pastor or one victim. It raises broader questions:

• Can media coverage influence justice?

• Do public figures get fair treatment when the spotlight turns on them?

• Where’s the line between legal pressure and public accountability?

For now, those questions hang heavy over Miami-Dade Circuit Court as the judge considers whether to let Readon take back a plea that seemed to bring his long legal saga to a close.