Date: September 9, 2026
Prepared by: Joseph Bober, Public Information Officer
Email: PIO@flaglersheriff.com
Release #: 2026 – 189
Darnell Hairston, 61, of Hastings, who was arrested by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office in December 2025 and later charged with kidnapping and harming an 11-year-old boy, has been convicted and sentenced.
On Aug. 19, Hairston pleaded no contest to kidnapping – inflicting bodily harm, aggravated child abuse, battery by strangulation, robbery with a deadly weapon, and resisting an officer without violence. At a sentencing hearing on Sept. 9, Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols found him guilty on each count and sentenced him to 30 years in state prison.
“This was one of the most successful ‘See Something, Say Something’ cases we’ve ever had — it led to the recovery of a missing child and the next three decades behind bars for the sex offender that was responsible. Of course, we’re still waiting for complete closure, as his co-conspirator’s case is still ongoing, but this is an important first step,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “I commend the heroic citizen who saw something suspicious and reported it, everyone on our team who contributed during this investigation, and our partners at the State Attorney’s Office who prosecuted this case to ensure this monster got the prison sentence he deserved.”
Hairston is being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he has been held without bond since his arrest. He is awaiting transfer to Florida Department of Corrections custody.
Sixteen-year-old Junior Bishop, who detectives determined was Hairston’s co-conspirator in the kidnapping, is still awaiting trial. He is being charged as an adult and faces charges of principle to armed kidnapping, aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, grand theft of a motor vehicle, reckless driving, driving without a license, and resisting an officer without violence.
The post CASE UPDATE: Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison in Kidnapping Case first appeared on Flagler County Buzz.
