Limo driver arrested; bond set at $40,000

A number of media outlets reported that Barry Carroll Hartsell, 60, of Atlanta, was arrested after being accused of operating a limo service catering to children in Louisiana. According to KSLA, he was passing out his business cards at a local snow cone stand in Louisiana and had been doing so at a local high school.

It is important to note that it was a stand in Louisiana and not here in Atlanta. A local snow cone vendor received heat for allowing him to set up shop and solicit his patrons.

KSLA also reported that the Facebook page for his limousine service even offered a birthday special, for $25, in which he would drive a child to and from school in his limousine, according to the Caddo Sheriff’s Office.

Louisiana law prohibits sex offenders from owning or working for a limousine service. And Hartsell did not register his employment with the Caddo Sheriff ’s Office, authorities say. However, here in Texas, sex offenders are only prohibited from working or running a limo service or cab if the victim is under 14 years old. His victim was a 15-year-old male according to arrest records.

The Texas Public Sex Offender Website says Hartsell poses a moderate risk to society and must register annually indefinitely, and must report his work changes. He was forced to begin to register in 2011. He was sentenced to 10 years parole with mandatory supervision.

He was convicted under Texas Penal Code 21.11 for inappropriate behavior with a teenage boy in 2005. Under Texas Penal Code Section 21.11(a)(1) a person commits the offense of indecency with a child if he or she engaged in sexual contact with a child or caused a child to engage in sexual contact. Sexual contact means acts that are committed with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person In Texas, indecency with a child either involves sexual contact or exposure. The term child refers to anyone under the age of 17.

Hartsell, came by the Journal last week to seek advertising for his limousine service. He mentioned that he had just recently purchased the limo and wanted to provide a discount limousine service in the area by offering discounted date nights. He also had an interest in providing a limousine service for homecoming.

Hartsell is one of 44 individual sex offenders registered here in Atlanta.