A former DuPage county corrections deputy has been found guilty of sexual misconduct with a female inmate.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced yesterday that Judge Joseph Bugos has found a former DuPage County Deputy Sheriff assigned to the Corrections Bureau guilty of having inappropriate sexual contact with a female prisoner. Judge Bugos returned his verdict in the case against Ricardo Hardy, 54, of Elgin, yesterday morning following a bench trial on June 11. In all, Bugos found Hardy guilty of five counts of Custodial Sexual Misconduct and five counts of Official Misconduct, all Class 3 Felonies.
On May 10, 2023, after receiving information that Hardy had engaged in sexual intercourse and other sexual acts with a female inmate on at least two occasions, the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office contacted the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, who opened an investigation into the matter. Following an investigation, authorities learned that beginning on March 13, 2023, through April 26, 2023, Hardy and the inmate engaged in sexual intercourse and other sexual acts in the inmate’s cell as well as a shower/bathroom area. The investigation also revealed that Hardy had arranged for $300 to be put in the inmate’s commissary account.
“As a deputy sheriff assigned to corrections, Mr. Hardy clearly held a position of authority over his victim,” Berlin said. “He then used his position as a corrections officer to engage in sexual activities with an inmate. His actions are nothing short of a complete abuse of authority and a betrayal of the trust placed in him not only by the Sheriff’s Office but also the residents of DuPage County. I emphasize however, that Mr. Hardy’s actions are not an indictment of the outstanding work and dedication of the Sheriff’s Office’s Corrections Bureau employees. They have an incredibly difficult job, and they perform their duties admirably day in and day out.”
Hardy’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 14 for post-trial motions and return of the Pre-sentence report.
