EDITOR’S NOTE: The wording in the federal complaint was quoted in this story exactly as the document is written.
Click for to read federal complaint against Rick Crawford involving alleged enticement of a child
By Jerry Jordan
Former NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Rick Crawford (Richard Hoyt Crawford Jr.) is being held in the Seminole County Jail in Sanford, FL on federal charges of “attempted enticement of a minor.” There is no bond available at this time.
According to documents obtained by Kickin’ the Tires, Crawford is alleged to have responded to an Internet posting for “taboo” contact with a father and his supposed 12-year-old daughter. The complaint filed against Crawford states on February 10, 2018, the ad read “taboo is, looking for taboo minded ppl, who aren’t afraid of the dark, are looking for that dark taboo experience, the hmu.”
Crawford replied, “Let’s do it. Clean fit 6 ft 180 BWC.”
The ad was actually a sting operation involving the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and an undercover officer assigned to a task force with the FBI investigating child sex crimes. The officer replied to Crawford stating, “FYI 50yo taboo dad, w 12yo daughter, shes into guys…im not, she also accepts donations, if this isn’t you then to reply, NO RP here.”
Crawford then replied using dollar signs and began negotiating with the undercover officer about a price to have sex with the supposed underage girl. The Internet chats went back and forth for a couple of days and then a week went by before the two exchanged messages again and Crawford stated he wanted to “fu** and su**.” Crawford was then provided with an email address and the undercover officer’s phone number.
Crawford then began texting with the undercover officer.
“On February 27, 2018, Crawford replied via text messages, ‘Hi mike, I’m Mike also,’” states the criminal complaint. “I responded, ‘you previously sai dyou wanted to fu** and su**, so I assume oral both ways and just straight sex since she doesnt do anal & I watch if thast still cool. Crawford responded. ‘Yes, Very cool. Awesome.’ During the conversation, Crawford asked how much money it would cost, tried to arrange for a time to meet on February 28, and Crawford again asked for a picture of my notional 12 year old daughter. I replied with a picture (of a law enforcement employee who was 12 to 13 years old at the time the picture was taken) and told Crawford that my notional daughter would be 13 years old in August.
In later conversations, Crawford asked, ‘Will she be dressed. Or Like naked and ready.’ I replied ‘UR paying u tell me as well as what ur plans are.’”
The document continues to give detailed descriptions of the conversations between the undercover officer and Crawford. The final price for sex with the supposed 12 year old was between $50 and $75, according to the document.
Crawford agreed to meet with the undercover officer and his supposed daughter at 1 p.m. near a restaurant on Lake Mary Boulevard. Instead, Crawford’s gold truck was seen backing into a parking space next to the undercover officer. The two rolled their windows down and the undercover officer told Crawford that his supposed daughter was “naked in the back do you want to get out and see her?”
As Crawford was exiting his vehicle he was taken into custody by other officers assisting in the investigation. After being read his Miranda warning, the complaint states Crawford said he would not have gone through with the meeting if the child had been underage.
On March 1, at his initial appearance in court, U.S. Magistrate Judge Karla R. Spaulding signed an order of temporary detention and Crawford’s next court date is set for March 8, 2018 at 2 p.m.. He has been appointed a public defender.
Crawford was a member of the NASCAR’s Motorsports Appeals Panel, which presides over penalty appeals from teams but a spokesperson for NASCAR told Kickin’ the Tires he has since been removed from that position. Crawford’s last attempt to race in the Camping World Truck Series was in 2013 but he failed to qualify. In 2012, he ran in five of 22 races. He has recorded five career wins.
No sympathy from me but I thought entrapment was illegal.
EDITOR’S NOTE: My understanding is that he responded to a bait ad, much like asking someone if they would sell dope. The conversations continued and it led to a meeting between the undercover officer and Mr. Crawford. I am not an attorney but I believe that is why the charge is “attempted” because the prevailing thought would be that Mr. Crawford – after two weeks of messaging – thought the supposed “daughter” would be 12-years-old.
Entrapment is when law enforcement entices someone to commit a crime. Let’s say Rick said “No I changed my mind, I don’t want to do it” then the officer responds by trying to convince him to do it, then I think that’s when entrapment becomes an issue.
Lurid tale.. Maybe he was gonna rescue the child and live happily ever after without violating her. Law enforcement seems awfully predatory and did nothing about the murder of my mother. Who the fuck do they work for anyway? I may be kind and naive but I have paternal instincts to rescue children. I also have read sinister stories in the name of knowledge & “wtf”- education.
If he wanted to save the child, why wouldn’t he have contacted the authorities?