By Greg Kocher
gkocher1@herald-leader.com
Magoffin County’s deputy judge-executive was arrested Friday and accused of attempting to solicit a 15-year-old girl for sex in Lexington.
Walter Hardin
Walter Edward Hardin, 28, of Salyersville was charged after he traveled to Lexington to meet the girl, Kentucky State Police said. Hardin is the son of Magoffin County Judge-Executive Charles “Doc” Hardin, who appointed his son to the post.
Walter Edward Hardin was charged with unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual activities, a class D felony punishable by one to five years in prison.
He was arrested by the state police Electronic Crime Section as the result of an online investigation.
“As a parent, I’m devastated for my son,” “Doc” Hardin told the Herald-Leader on Monday. “As judge-executive, I am treating him as I would any employee, and have placed him on administrative leave pending the resolution” of the criminal case.
The younger Hardin will receive no pay for his $35,000-a-year job as deputy judge-executive during the administrative leave. He has been in the job for about 22 months, the elder Hardin said.
Walter Edward Hardin was lodged in the Fayette County Detention Center and then released Friday. The investigation is continuing.
Power begets power, power begets corruption, power begets spoiled members of society that think they own everything and everyone and can judge everything and everyone. Until, a society breaks down because of it. Look back at history and you can see how it works. I don’t know what this dudes intentions were nor what he done or didn’t do, I don’t know him. Money will now talk for him. So he is more fortunate then some.