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Clay County Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Child Sex Crimes
A Clay County man has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for child sex crimes. Edward Alan Hardin, 35, was found guilty of attempting to produce child sex abuse material and possession of child sex abuse material. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and serve a lifetime of supervised release.
Hardin had pleaded guilty on February 17, 2022, as part of a plea agreement. He admitted to sex trafficking two children under 14 years old and to the online enticement of a third child to engage in illegal sexual activity.
According to court documents, Hardin had access to three female children who were in his custody. He provided money and gifts to one of the children, referred to as Minor Victim 1, in exchange for the sexual abuse of Minor Victim 1. The abuse began when Minor Victim 1 was about 12 or 13 years old.
On May 8, 2020, a Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed Hardin’s truck parked at a shopping center in Orange Park. The deputy smelled the aroma of marijuana emanating from the truck and observed Hardin and Minor Victim 1 appearing nervous. Minor Victim 1 disclosed text messages between her and Hardin that showed he had made arrangements to pay her for sex.
Minor Victim 1 also identified two other child victims who had been sexually abused by Hardin. One of the victims, referred to as Minor Victim 2, had been transported to a theme park in Georgia by Hardin when she was 15 years old. Minor Victim 2 informed detectives that Hardin had sexually abused her during the trip and continued to have a sexual relationship with her until she was 16 years old.
Hardin’s phone contained photos of Minor Victim 2 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He also had text messages to Minor Victim 1 in which he repeatedly requested that she produce pornographic images of herself and provide them to him.
“This predator took advantage of the innocence of minor girls and sexually abused them through manipulation,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa Special Agent in Charge John Condon. “This successful sentencing is a testament to the strength of our law enforcement partnerships and our commitment to serve and protect the community.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor. This is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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