Still, if Hardy violates the conditions of his five-year probation, he’ll have to serve six years in prison, the maximum for the two charges he was convicted of, Huffman said.
Hardy, 26, of Riverside, pleaded guilty Jan. 28 to abduction and importuning of a child under the age of 16. His admission came three days before his scheduled trial. The indicted charge, sexual battery, was dropped.
The victim was not in the courtroom. Hardy told Huffman that the girl, now an adult, is in the military.
Hardy, his voice quavering, said he wished she was in the room so he could apologize to her.
“I am very truly sorry for what I have done,” he said. “I have exhibited poor judgment, extremely poor judgment.”
Huffman responded that this was the first time Hardy had admitted he knew the girl was a minor. Previously, even during the pre-sentence investigation, Hardy claimed he thought she was a Sinclair Community College student and an adult.
His acceptance of responsibility was “a bit late,” the judge said.
She also noted details contained in the search warrant affidavit were “extremely disturbing,” but declined to elaborate on them at a public hearing. Under the plea deal, Hardy has agreed to give up his teaching certification and never seek one again. He will have to register as a sex offender for 15 years.
According to Riverside police, Hardy told someone about his encounters with the girl and that person contacted police. Hardy was arrested June 17.
Hardy had been a part-time assistant band director for Brookville since November 2006, but was not going to return next year for personal reasons, district Superintendent Tim Hopkins has said.
Hardy earned $2,723 the previous year, Hopkins said.
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