(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – A former DuPage County correctional officer is accused of having a sexual relationship with a female detainee and crediting the inmate’s commissary account with $300.
Ricardo Hardy, a 52-year-old deputy sheriff from Elgin, has been charged with five counts of custodial sexual misconduct and five counts of official misconduct, all Class 3 felonies, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.
A judge set Hardy’s bond at $300,000, meaning he needed to post $30,000 to be released.
Authorities say Hardy and a female jail prisoner had sexual encounters in her cell as well as a shower and bathroom area between March and April. Hardy arranged for $300 to be put on the prisoner’s commissary account, officials said.
Last week, the sheriff’s office learned of the allegations against Hardy and contacted the State’s Attorney’s Office, officials said. Hardy was arrested Monday and reportedly terminated from his job.
Hardy "obviously held a position of authority over his victim [and] used that position to engage in sexual activities with a prisoner,” State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.
“The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office has zero tolerance for this type of behavior,” Sheriff James Mendrick added. “We will take immediate action against any employee who does not maintain the highest standards of professional conduct.”
Hardy’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 12.
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