EDITOR’S NOTE: Some of the information and evidence prosecutors refer to in this article is considered to be graphic and adult in nature. Additionally, a person is not guilty of a crime simply because there is evidence against that person nor because there has been an indictment. The jury in this case will determine guilt and, as of this time, Richard Hoyt Crawford Jr. is presumed innocent of the charges he is facing.
By Jerry Jordan, Editor
The criminal trial of Richard “Rick” Hoyt Crawford Jr., who is charged with one count of attempted enticement of a minor, got underway Tuesday morning in Orlando Federal Court.
Crawford faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison if found guilty following an indictment pursuant to federal statute 18 U.S.C. 2422 (b), “Whoever, using the mail or any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce, or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States knowingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years, to engage in prostitution or any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 10 years or for life.”
CLICK FOR PDF: Rick Crawford Indictment 030718
The indictment also refers to a Florida law for attempted lewd or lascivious battery on a minor by enticement. Prosecutors must prove Crawford knew the girl was under 16-years-old and he encouraged, forced, or enticed the victim to engage in sadomasochistic abuse, sexual bestiality, prostitution, or any act involving sexual activity.
Crawford was arrested February 28 after extended electronic communications to meet with a supposed father and his notional 12-year-old daughter being offered for sexual favors in exchange for money. The supposed father turned out to be an undercover sheriff’s deputy assigned for the past 13 years to an FBI task force combatting violent crimes against children.
According to court records, jury selection began at 9:25 a.m. but was halted about two hours later for hearings on motions to exclude evidence filed by defense attorneys. One of the motions was to exclude photographs of items found inside his truck at the time of his arrest, including sexual performance pills, condoms, a sex toy and a receipt for emergency female contraception (morning after pill). The second motion denied by the judge was a photograph that prosecutors said Crawford sent of his erect penis during an exchange with the undercover officer when he replied to a Craigslist ad for “taboo sex.”
CLICK FOR PDF: Motion to Exclude Vehicle Evidence-Crawford
CLICK FOR PDF: Motion to Exclude Penis Pic-Crawford
After the denials, the court took a 15-minute recess before bringing the jury panel back into the courtroom for further selection. The judge broke for lunch at 1:11 p.m. after attorneys for both sides announced they had reached a decision on jurors. Court resumed at 2:25 p.m. and the jurors were given preliminary instruction before both sides began their opening statements.
CLICK FOR PDF: Jury Instructions-Crawford
The first witness called by the prosecution was John Steven McElyea, who is the law enforcement officer working with the FBI’s violent crimes against children task force on Orlando. He was the one interacting with Crawford via email and text to arrange a sexual encounter with his notional 12-year-old daughter. On multiple occasions during electronic communications with Crawford he made it clear the girl was underage, even giving Crawford rules requiring him to use protection when the two had sex because, “I don’t need to explain why my 12yo daughter is prego.”
At 5:06 p.m. testimony ended for the day and is scheduled to resume at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The trial is expected to last three days.
CLICK FOR PDF: Rick Crawford Witness List-Crawford
CLICK FOR PDF: Government Witness List-Crawford
CLICK FOR PDF: Government Exhibit List-Crawford
PRIOR COVERAGE:
Rick Crawford child enticement case set to begin Tuesday morning
Former truck series driver Rick Crawford busted for attempted child enticement