ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A man arrested on child pornography and attempted kidnapping charges turned down a plea offer in court Thursday.
Jeremy Hagan, 29, turned down the 15-year plea offer and could face life in prison if convicted at trial.
He is facing more than 100 charges.
“This was not a very smart move on his part,” said WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer.
According to investigators, Hagan was seen taking pictures of young girls and exposing himself in the Waterford Lakes and Azalea Park areas.
Following Hagen's arrest, investigators said they searched his home and electronic devices, where they found more than 300 images of child pornography.
"He had his window down and he was blowing kisses at her, trying to convince her to get in the car and stuff," the mother of one girl said.
Prosecutors said they offered the original 15-year deal because it came with a solid prison sentence, sex offender status and it avoided putting children on the witness stand.
“I have a hard time believing any attorney representing him advised him to walk away from the 15 years,” Sheaffer said.
Hagan didn’t explain his decision but was seen talking it through with his attorney beforehand.
Hagan has two prior convictions for misdemeanor sex-related crimes and is on probation, according to investigators.
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