DuPage County Deputy Accused Of Having Sex With Female Inmate

WHEATON, IL — A DuPage County Sheriff's Office Deputy has been charged with multiple felonies after he was accused of having sex with a female inmate and putting money in her commissary account while he worked at DuPage County Jail. Ricardo Hardy, 52, of Elgin, was charged with custodial sexual misconduct and official misconduct in connection with the incident.

Prosecutors say Hardy had sex and performed "other sexual acts" with the inmate in her cell and in the jail's shower area between March 13 and April 26. Hardy is also accused of arranging for $300 to be put into the inmate's commissary account.

The DuPage County Sheriff's Office was made aware of the allegations and contacted the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, a news release said. Hardy was taken into custody May 15 and is being held in DuPage County Jail on $500,000 bond.

"It is alleged that a deputy sheriff assigned to corrections, who obviously held a position of authority over his victim, used that position to engage in sexual activities with a prisoner," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "This alleged betrayal of the public trust will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force and effect of the law."

"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 is set to appear in court again June 12.