A Florida sex offender who allegedly abducted an 11-year-old boy, choked him unconscious, and bound him with shoelaces and duct tape at a remote campsite has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. Darnell Hairston, 61, entered a no-contest plea to multiple felony charges, including kidnapping of a child under 13 and aggravated child abuse, bringing a swift conclusion to a case that began with a suspicious traffic stop on New Year’s Eve.
Background
The investigation into Hairston’s alleged crimes began on Dec. 31, 2025, when the Flagler County Sheriff's Office received a tip that Hairston, a registered sex offender, was traveling with two juveniles, one of whom had been reported missing three days prior. Deputies spotted Hairston’s pickup truck, equipped with a camper topper, on U.S. Highway 1 at Palm Coast Parkway and initiated a traffic stop.
According to the sheriff's office press release, Hairston appeared "anxious and was unable to remain still" when deputies approached. He rolled down his window and "extended both arms" outside the vehicle. One of the juveniles in the truck appeared visibly nervous, prompting deputies to ask him to step out and speak away from Hairston.
As officers interviewed the boy, Hairston allegedly attempted to flee on foot but slipped and fell on the road. A deputy tackled him, and Hairston reportedly tried to seize the deputy’s service weapon during the struggle. Other deputies intervened to secure his custody. The second juvenile, later identified as 15-year-old Junior Bishop, allegedly drove away in the pickup truck and was subsequently arrested.
Detectives interviewed the 11-year-old victim, who provided a harrowing account of his ordeal. The boy stated he was lured to a campsite by Hairston, where the suspect allegedly choked him until he lost consciousness. Upon waking, the victim said Hairston threatened him with a gun and a knife before tying him up with shoelaces and an extension cord and covering his mouth with duct tape.
Investigators found physical evidence consistent with the victim's statements during searches of Hairston’s vehicle, home, and the campsite. Items recovered included duct tape, video surveillance equipment, and weapons. In a post-Miranda interview, Hairston allegedly admitted that he knew the boy was missing but never contacted law enforcement.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly praised the community’s role in the case, describing it as one of the most successful "See Something, Say Something" investigations in the county’s history. "It led to the recovery of a missing child and the next three decades behind bars for the sex offender that was responsible," Staly stated. He also commended the heroic citizen who reported the suspicious activity and the State Attorney’s Office for the 7th Circuit for prosecuting the case.
The Charges
Hairston was adjudicated guilty following his no-contest plea to the following charges: kidnapping of a child under 13, aggravated child abuse, battery by strangulation, robbery with a deadly weapon, and resisting arrest. His criminal history includes previous convictions for lewd and lascivious behavior with a child under the age of 16 and false imprisonment, according to Florida's sex offender registry.
Key Takeaways
- Darnell Hairston, 61, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading no contest to kidnapping, aggravated child abuse, battery by strangulation, robbery with a deadly weapon, and resisting arrest.
- The victim, an 11-year-old boy reported missing three days before the arrest, alleged he was choked unconscious, threatened with weapons, and bound with shoelaces and duct tape at a campsite.
- Hairston was stopped on U.S. Highway 1 on Dec. 31, 2025, after a tip linked him to the missing child; he attempted to flee and allegedly tried to grab a deputy’s gun during his arrest.
- A 15-year-old co-conspirator, Junior Bishop, was arrested for allegedly driving away in the victim’s pickup truck and is being charged as an adult.
- Investigators recovered physical evidence, including duct tape and weapons, at the campsite, vehicle, and home that corroborated the victim’s account.
What's Next
While Hairston’s sentencing marks a significant milestone, the legal proceedings are not entirely closed. Sheriff Staly noted that the case involving Hairston’s co-conspirator, Junior Bishop, is still ongoing. Bishop, who was 15 at the time of the alleged crimes, faces charges as an adult and is scheduled for a court hearing on Sept. 23. Authorities are awaiting the resolution of Bishop’s case to bring complete closure to the investigation.