Former ‘Officer Of The Year’ Arrested On Child Pornography Charges
A former Florida “Officer of the Year” has been arrested by federal officials Tuesday on child pornography charges.
Port St. Lucie police officer, Michael Harding, was named “Officer of the Year” four years ago while working at the Fort Pierce police department. Harding, a married father of three children, has been employed with the Port St. Lucie police department since 2012.
However, after being under investigation by the Department of Homeland Security since July, he has now been arrested for receiving and distributing child pornography, among other related charges.
Port St. Lucie Police investigator knew feds were investigating officer as early as August 17th. @WPTV pic.twitter.com/ZD2L7vvkH3
— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) September 23, 2015
Harding was under investigation after an undercover agent reportedly met the police officer in an online Kik Messenger group. According to a child pornography criminal complaint, allegedly working under the alias “desthfromabovee,” Harding had posted two images of a preteen female engaging in a sexual act to the Kik Messenger group using a smartphone app.
Reportedly, the federal investigator stated that there were two more instances where “desthfromabovee” had posted explicit content of young women. As the women involved were preteen, this falls under the heading of child pornography.
BREAKING: Port St. Lucie Police Officer, Michael Harding, arrested by Homeland Security http://t.co/sa3xBqHNUe – @MeghanWPTV
— WPTV (@WPTV) September 23, 2015
According to the Washington Times, the Department of Homeland Security obtained phone records from AT&T and then tracked the user name “desthfromabovee” via the Kik Messenger app, cellphone service and IP address back to Harding.
Reportedly, a search of Harding’s home computer and other devices by federal agents uncovered hundreds of videos and images of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. A thumb drive containing the child pornography was found inside a gun case in Harding’s bedroom closet.
According to investigators, they have reason to believe Harding uploaded some of the child pornography while in his patrol car.
Port St. Lucie Police Chief John Bolduc reportedly told WPTV, “If these allegations are true, this is very disturbing.”
WPTV interviewed psychologist Dr. Mark Ellinger, who said that, while Harding’s colleagues are shocked that he had been caught with child pornography, he is not, and he spoke about how people lead two lives.
Ellinger said that humans are very good at keeping secrets, and Harding had obviously passed his polygraph tests at work successfully, despite his secret life.
“Some people are so good at the denial and putting it in the little box and hiding it away that it doesn’t come out on a polygraph. Also, polygraphs can be worked around depending on the person’s sophistication and skill.”
The former “Officer of the Year” has been suspended from work and charged with possession of child pornography, as well as receiving and distributing material involving sexual exploitation of minors. Harding now faces up to 20 years in prison.
[Image: Mugshot courtesy Port St. Lucie Sheriff’s Office]
