Escambia Man Arrested For Soliciting A Minor Online

January 14, 2016

An Escambia County man on probation for child neglect has been arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for soliciting a minor online.

Robert Hardee, 24, was charged with online solicitation of a child, transmitting harmful material to a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.  Hardee was already serving probation on a 2015 child neglect conviction from Escambia County.

Hardee began communicating with an undercover FDLE agent online last June.  During the communication, Hardee solicited who he believed to be a 14-year-old boy.  During the investigation, Hardee sent nude photos and attempted to seduce the undercover agent to engage in sexual activity.

Hardee was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond. When arrested, he provided an address in the 700 block of Benjulyn Road in Cantonment.

He was previously sentenced on charges of DUI and child neglect to 90 days in jail followed by 48 months probation for driving drunk on the wrong side of Nine Mile Road with two children in his vehicle.

An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy was traveling westbound on Nine Mile Road on August 9, 2014, when he observed traffic swerving left and right to avoid a Nissan SUV traveling on the wrong side of the road. Hardee turned on Chemstrand Road where he came to a stop. Two children were in the vehicle.

Hardee failed a field sobriety test, and later failed a breathalyzer test with an alcohol level of .242 — just over three times the legal limit of .08 — according deputies. Deputies reported finding a small bottle of vodka in the vehicle, with one of the children telling a deputy that Hardee has just consumed the alcohol.

Hardee also received traffic citations for driving on the wrong side of the road and possession of  an open container in a motor vehicle following the 2014 incident.

Comments

4 Responses to “Escambia Man Arrested For Soliciting A Minor Online”

  1. Billy D on January 14th, 2016 10:47 am

    what can you say other than WOW. Put this vermin away….for a long time. I hope nobody gets on here to defend him saying he was just having a bad day……….

  2. molino jim on January 14th, 2016 9:49 am

    I wonder if this person was arrested at the Thumb at 29 and 97 parking lot yesterday? i came by and there were 4 or 5 SO unit at a stopped car in the parking lot about 3 pm. No matter where the arrest was made— good work on the part of the LEO’s. Thanks for helping this person find a new home for a while.

  3. Dee on January 14th, 2016 9:23 am

    This is the definition of the word, Scumbag!! He should have been locked away for good after being caught driving hammered drunk with his children in the car. Children are innocent and pure to this crazy world and to have someone put them knowingly put them in danger is completely unacceptable! Throw the book at this Scumbag before he succeeds in having sex with a young child and ruins their life forever!

  4. Dudeguy on January 14th, 2016 5:14 am

    Can we finally put this guy in prison where he belongs?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News