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MINNESOTA - Mark Hardin ,age 54, was sentenced by Judge Holter in Beltrami Country Court on Monday, June 26, 2000. Hardin, a white man originally from the Chicago area, with a previous record as a sexual predator of young Native American Indian boys, has for the second time plea bargained a charge of felony first degree criminal sexual conduct with a child.

A pre-sentencing investigation had been ordered before Hardin's sentencing, June 26. According to Hardin's attorney, Blair Nelson, Hardin agreed to serve nine months in country jail with credit given for three months for good behavior.

Judge Holter accepted the plea bargain entered, with credit for time served and a possible 3 month reduction for good behavior. Hardin will spend less than 6 months in County jail for molesting a 9 year old Indian boy. Hardin was ordered to pay a $1000 fine and court costs, to be law-abiding, to abstain from mind altering substances and is not allowed to have unsupervised contract with minors. Harden must also register as a sex offender.

When Hardin molests another child or if violates the conditions of his probation, he will receive a 5 year prison term.

The father of Hardin's most recent victim addressed Mark Hardin in the courtroom. The victim's father spoke about Hardin's violation of trust and the damage that he had done to the young victim's self image and stated that he believes that Hardin is sick and he hopes he (Hardin) gets the help he needs.

A year ago, Hardin was given a two-year-year stay of adjudication for a charge of gross misdemeanor lewd or lascivious conduct (also bargained down from the original charge) involving another young boy. Hardin, a non-Indian, targets young Indian boys, and frequents Pow Wows as a Grass Dancer.