A man diagnosed with “pedophilic disorder” has been committed to a Missouri mental health facility after serving multiple prison sentences for child sexual exploitation. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office announced on Wednesday that Harry Richardson, 47, was successfully committed to the Missouri Department of Mental Health by the Sexually Violent Predator Unit following a bench trial in Ray County.
Law enforcement officials revealed that Richardson was diagnosed with pedophilic disorder and has been convicted of sexual-related crimes at least three times since 1999. He had previously pleaded guilty to child molestation in the second degree and spent three years in prison for sexual contact with a sleeping 13-year-old girl. After his release, he engaged in online communication with who he believed to be a 13-year-old female but was actually an undercover law enforcement officer, leading to a guilty conviction of enticement of a child in 2009.
Despite receiving offers for sex offender treatment during his time in prison, Richardson never completed them and made inappropriate comments during the process. Following another guilty plea for enticement of a child in 2014, Richardson will now undergo treatment in a secure mental health facility for dangerous sex offenders as part of the Tuesday verdict.
The AG’s Office stated that Richardson is required to serve lifetime supervision with the Missouri Department of Corrections and emphasized the importance of civil commitment for sexual predators who have the potential to commit predatory, sexually violent acts if not contained to a treatment facility. AG Andrew Bailey supported the decision to commit Richardson to ensure the safety of the community.