Related Federal Cases
- Stahlman Guilty of Enticing Minor · Florida
- Ex-NASCAR Driver Indicted for Child Sex Sting · Florida
- Bradenton Man’s 12.5-Year Sentence for Enticing Minor, Child Abuse Material · Florida
- Milton Truck Driver Andre M. Straughn Gets 15.5 Years for Child Porn Crimes · Florida
- Church Bus Driver Admits to Decades of Child Abuse · Kentucky
NASCAR Driver Guilty of Enticing Minor
A former NASCAR driver has been found guilty of attempting to entice a 12-year-old girl into a sex act.
Richard H. Crawford, Jr., 60, was convicted by a federal jury in Orlando, Florida, after a trial that exposed his despicable crimes. According to the evidence presented, Crawford engaged in email and text communications with a person he believed to be the father of the young girl, discussing the possibility of engaging her in sexual activity.
In a shocking display of depravity, Crawford agreed to pay between $50 and $75 to engage in oral sex and intercourse with the child, and even specified that he wanted her to be nude or wearing something with ‘easy access’ at the time of the meeting.
On February 28, 2018, when Crawford arrived at the agreed location to carry out his twisted plan, he was arrested by federal agents. During a search of his person, agents found $80 and a condom in his pants pocket.
A search of his truck revealed an emergency contraceptive pill, massage oil, a phallic device, a sexual performance enhancement pill, adult pornography, a DVD player, and condoms. The agents also found Crawford’s cellphone, which contained the incriminating emails and text messages between Crawford and the undercover officer.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
Crawford faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 26, 2018. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilianys Rivera Miranda.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes