Benjamin Hollins, a 50-year-old man in Arizona, was arrested for allegedly faking his own death to avoid registering as a sex offender. He was living in Mesa under a false identity and was originally convicted as a sex offender in California over 20 years ago. Police located him after a tip-off from the Chandler Police Department, but the reason for their search was not disclosed. Hollins failed to register as a sex offender in Arizona while working as a behavioral health counselor, during which time he attempted to molest a 16-year-old client. He took a plea deal that required him to register annually but did not comply, leading him to fake his own death in 2023 by allegedly jumping off a bridge.
A woman reported to police that she witnessed Hollins taking his own life by jumping off the Theodore Roosevelt Lake Dam, leading to a search operation that wasted resources as his body was not found. The sheriff’s office revealed that his sex offender registration lapsed while he was believed to be deceased, and he was found living with a family with young children in Mesa, who were unaware of his criminal history. Sheriff Mark Lamb called out Hollins in a video on Facebook, stating, “Nice try, Benjamin. We found you. You’re not dead. We’re gonna hold you accountable.” Hollins is scheduled to appear in court for his arrest.
Hollins’ criminal history dates back over two decades when he was convicted as a sex offender in California. Despite being required to register annually, he failed to do so in Arizona, where he was residing until his arrest. His attempted molestation of a 16-year-old client during his work as a behavioral health counselor led to a supervised probation sentence. However, his non-compliance with the sex offender registration requirement prompted his elaborate plan to fake his own death. This ploy ultimately failed, resulting in his arrest in Mesa, Arizona, and exposure of his hidden past to the family with whom he was living.
The controversial incident shed light on the dangers posed by individuals attempting to evade the consequences of their actions, particularly when they involve crimes with long-lasting implications like sex offenses. The fact that Hollins was living with a family with young children underscores the potential risks associated with not properly tracking and monitoring sex offenders. Law enforcement authorities like the sheriff’s office in Pinal County play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of communities by apprehending individuals like Hollins and holding them accountable for their actions, despite attempts to deceive the authorities and escape justice.
The case of Benjamin Hollins serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of adherence to the legal requirements for convicted sex offenders, as well as the need for vigilant oversight and enforcement by law enforcement agencies. By attempting to fake his own death to avoid registration, Hollins not only wasted valuable resources for law enforcement but also put innocent families at risk by living among them under a false identity. The swift action taken by the Chandler Police Department and the sheriff’s office in locating and apprehending Hollins highlights the dedication of law enforcement in ensuring the safety and well-being of the community, particularly in cases involving serious criminal offenses like sex offenses. The upcoming court appearance for Hollins will be an opportunity for the justice system to hold him accountable for his actions and ensure that he faces the consequences of his attempt to evade justice.
