Redwood City child predator used social media to find preteen victims: DA
(KRON) — A 44-year-old Redwood City man accused of contacting children on social media and receiving child pornography pleaded no contest to seven felony counts on the condition he would receive 40 years to life in state prison, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.
Between 2017 and 2020, David Richard Hackworth used social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat to meet six of his victims, who were girls under 13 years old, according to prosecutors. He would then convince the children, the DA's office said, to send him lewd videos of themselves.
A seventh victim in the case, also under 13 years old, was groped by Hackworth, prosecutors said.
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Hackworth was arrested in March 2021 after police in Colorado notified the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office of a child pornography investigation. A search warrant at his Redwood City residence uncovered 'thousands of images of child pornography including child rape,' the DA's office said. According to investigators, there were over 40,000 lines of messages.
Hackworth was charged with 73 felony counts, including lewd act upon a child, contact with a minor for sexual offense, exhibiting a minor in pornography and possession of over 600 images of child pornography. On March 16, 2021, Hackworth pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On Jan. 12, 2024, Hackworth accepted a deal with the DA's office for pleading no contest on seven felony counts of lewd act upon a child, and admitting to serious and violent felony allegations. In return, Hackworth will face 40 years to life in state prison.
Hackworth will not be eligible for parole until after serving 20 years in prison, according to the DA's office.
Sentencing was set for Friday at 9 a.m.
This story will be updated.
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