By JOE MAY | The Southern Standard
An Amity sexual offender has been arrested for a fourth offense, this time in Camden.
According to an affidavit filed by Clark County Investigator Sherry Cleek an anonymous call was made to authorities stating that William Richard Hawkins, 81 and a Level 3 sex offender who is supposed to be residing at 109 Rice Road in Amity, was actually living in Camden.
As a sexual offender, Hawkins must report any change in residence, mailing address employment, volunteer, email and social media changes in person to authorities.
After some investigation, it was learned that Hawkins had not been living in Amity for some time and had been in Camden instead where he was volunteering with the historical association in a role that put him in contact with children, a violation of his sentence. It was even found that he had served as a volunteer at a primary school in Camden in 2016.
Hawkins was first arrested in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, after he exposed himself to children numerous times at a store in 2001. In 2012, he was charged in Amity for living within 2,000 feet of a school and in 2021, he was again charged in Amity for failing to register as a sexual offender. Each time, Hawkins received suspended sentences or probation.
Hawkins has since registered as a sexual offender in Camden, but will still face Class C Felony charges in Clark County for Failure to Register.
Categories: Police & Fire
It makes no sense to let sex offenders move here from other states when we already have way too many here in Arkansas. And of course, the government is controlled by pedophiles and only ever gives them a slap on the wrist (or no punishment at all, if you’re rich and powerful), so they just keep breaking the law and going around kids. He could have very well hurt a child during this time. We need to make a lot of changes to the laws here in Arkansas to make them a lot harsher, and I think registered sex offenders should have to wear a nametag that shows who they are and what they were put on the registry for, so people know to keep their kids away and not to let them do any kind of job or volunteer work that puts them in contact with children. They should also be required to wear an ankle monitor (and pay for it) at all times, so the police can track their whereabouts. They’d find out real quick if he was really living in Camden. I’m tempted to say just give them all life in prison without the possibility of parole. No price is too great to protect kids.
I agree with Ms. Johnson! Why were his sentences suspended or why was he just put on probation? This is an outrage! There needs to be more done in cases like this. Why should parents and children be subjected to these people when our police officers and court systems just give them a slap on the wrist. I have very little confidence in either on this point.
Tattoo “PEDOFILE” on their forehead so people will know.