A former DuPage County Deputy Sheriff has been convicted on charges of sexual misconduct with a female inmate. Ricardo Hardy, 54, was found guilty of five counts of Custodial Sexual Misconduct and five counts of Official Misconduct, all of which are Class 3 Felonies, according to a press release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. The verdict was delivered by Judge Joseph Bugos after a bench trial concluded on June 11, 2025.
Details released disclose that Hardy's transgressions took place between March 13, 2023, and April 26, 2023, wherein he engaged in sexual acts with an inmate in her cell and a shower/bathroom area. Additionally, Hardy was reported to have placed $300 in the inmate's commissary account. These incidents prompted his termination from the Corrections Bureau on May 15, 2023, followed by his arrest the next day after a $500,000 arrest warrant, with 10% to apply, was issued. Hardy posted the $30,000 bond and was released from custody.
In a statement by DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, “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." Berlin further praised the Corrections Bureau's employees for their diligent work and acknowledged the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office for its swift reporting of the misconduct for investigation.
The investigation was the result of a collaborative effort between the DuPage County Sheriff's Office and the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. The latter's office commended Assistant State’s Attorneys Alexandria Levan, Grace Barsanti, and Kathleen Rowe, along with their office's Investigations Division, for their work on the disturbing case. Hardy is scheduled to appear in court for post-trial motions and return of the Pre-sentence report on August 14, 2025.
