Official Charged With Soliciting Sex
Billy Hardin Arrested On Monday
POSTED: 11:17 am CDT March 11,
2008
UPDATED: 5:51 pm CDT March 11,
2008
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. -- A judicial commissioner in Bedford County was charged on Monday with offering to buy sex from a woman who came before him on county business.
Video: County Official Charged With Soliciting SexPolice said Billy Hardin, 59, faces charges of official misconduct, solicitation of prostitution and sexual battery charges after an investigation last weekend.Investigators said Hardin offered to pay the woman $25 for oral sex when she went to talk to him about a warrant that she had taken out against someone.The solicitation of prostitution charge is a misdemeanor, but the other two charges are both felonies.Police are now investigating whether the judicial commissioner offered other women money for sex.Hardin did not return Channel 4's calls on Tuesday."It's unfortunate, and it's terrible because it's somebody who's in a position who should have known better," said Sgt. Jason Williams of the Shelbyville Police DepartmentChannel 4 asked the officer who made the arrest if this was embarrassing for the city."I'd be lying if said no," said Williams.Hardin was arrested on Monday and released on $3,000 bond. He is due in court April 8.Hardin's job with the county is to issue warrants in criminal cases.Williams said the two did not consummate the act.
Video: County Official Charged With Soliciting SexPolice said Billy Hardin, 59, faces charges of official misconduct, solicitation of prostitution and sexual battery charges after an investigation last weekend.Investigators said Hardin offered to pay the woman $25 for oral sex when she went to talk to him about a warrant that she had taken out against someone.The solicitation of prostitution charge is a misdemeanor, but the other two charges are both felonies.Police are now investigating whether the judicial commissioner offered other women money for sex.Hardin did not return Channel 4's calls on Tuesday."It's unfortunate, and it's terrible because it's somebody who's in a position who should have known better," said Sgt. Jason Williams of the Shelbyville Police DepartmentChannel 4 asked the officer who made the arrest if this was embarrassing for the city."I'd be lying if said no," said Williams.Hardin was arrested on Monday and released on $3,000 bond. He is due in court April 8.Hardin's job with the county is to issue warrants in criminal cases.Williams said the two did not consummate the act.Copyright 2008 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.
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