A former behavioral health counselor, Benjamin Hollins, was apprehended in Arizona after authorities discovered he faked his own death to avoid registering as a sex offender. Hollins had been convicted of a sexual offense more than 20 years ago in California and failed to register as a sex offender when he moved to Arizona City in 2018. In Arizona, he was charged with kidnapping and attempted sexual assault of a 16-year-old client. Despite taking a plea deal and being sentenced to supervised probation, Hollins still failed to register as a sex offender as required.
In October 2023, Hollins enlisted the help of a woman to file a false report claiming she saw him commit suicide by jumping off a bridge near the Roosevelt Dam at the Theodore Roosevelt Lake Dam. Although no body was discovered, a green bag containing a suicide note and ID was found on the bridge, leading authorities to believe he was dead and his sex offender registration lapsed. Detectives eventually connected the false report back to Hollins, who had been living under the name “Julian Jefferson” with a family who were unaware of his actual history.
Hollins is now facing charges including failure to appear, probation violation, and failure to confirm sex offender identification. It is unclear if he has legal representation. If you or someone you know needs help, resources such as RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s website can provide support. Additionally, mental health support can be found through 988lifeline.org, and local mental health and crisis resources can be accessed at dontcallthepolice.com. For international assistance, the International Association for Suicide Prevention website can offer help.
The case of Benjamin Hollins serves as a reminder of the importance of following legal requirements, especially for those convicted of serious offenses such as sex crimes. Failing to register as a sex offender not only violates the law but also puts communities at risk. The elaborate scheme Hollins used to fake his own death demonstrates the lengths some individuals may go to in order to avoid accountability for their actions.
Authorities’ swift action in investigating the false report and uncovering Hollins’ deception highlights the dedication of law enforcement in ensuring justice is served. The fact that Hollins had been living with a family who were unaware of his past criminal history underscores the importance of background checks and thorough vetting processes, particularly in professions working with vulnerable populations such as mental health counseling.
Moving forward, it will be crucial for the criminal justice system to ensure that individuals like Benjamin Hollins are held accountable for their actions and that measures are in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. By promoting transparency, enforcing registration requirements, and strengthening oversight in professions where individuals are entrusted with the well-being of others, communities can better safeguard against potential risks and promote safety for all.
