Sanford Police arrest sexual offender in February sexual battery

SANFORD, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Sanford Police have arrested a sexual offender on charges of kidnapping and sexual battery, stemming from an incident in February.

Sanford police officers on Feb. 8 responded to a reported sexual battery outside a Walmart on South Orlando Drive.   According to the 15-year-old victim, a man threatened her at knife-point to get inside a car.  The man then drove her to an area near Washington Oaks, where he forced her to engage in sexual intercourse, according to police. They said he drove the victim back to the Walmart and told her not to tell anyone about the incident. 

The results of the sexual battery kit returned a positive identification for Samuel Lee Hardy Jr.  Hardy was released on sexual offender status from the Department of Corrections on February 17, 2016.  Hardy was previously convicted and sentenced to six years for having sex with minors.

Hardy was arrested on Wednesday and charged with one count of kidnapping, one count of forced sexual battery with a weapon on a victim 12 years or older, and two counts of violation of probation. 

Anyone with information on this incident or others is asked to contact the Sanford Police Department or Crimeline at 800 423-TIPS (8477)