Racine man accused of child sex assault, child porn

RACINE (WITI) -- 26-year-old Samuel Hawkins of Racine faces 14 criminal charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a child, possessing child pornography and exposing a child to that content. Hawkins was arrested on Thursday, February 20th -- and was in court for his initial appearance on Friday.

The 14 charges filed against Hawkins include first-degree sexual assault of a child, exposing a child to harmful material, use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, child enticement, and multiple counts of possession of child pornography.

A special internet crimes task force was tipped off in this case and called Racine police.

"When there is child pornography involved, a lot of times somebody is going to have numerous images of child pornography and that's where the multiple counts come from," said Sgt. Jessie Metoyer of the Racine Police Department.

Police first searched Hawkins' Racine home on February 7th on suspicion of child porn. During the search, in addition to finding images, police say they also found what they believed to be child's underwear.

"Throughout the course of the investigation into the child pornography another investigation was initiated into the actual sexual assault of a child," said Metoyer.

The complaint states Hawkins admitted to pursuing an 11-year-old boy and sending him pornographic images with his computer, and watching porn with the child in his basement while he was babysitting.

Police allege Hawkins did have sex with the child, though in the criminal complaint, Hawkins denies that charge, but admitted to sexual contact.

Hawkins is being held on a $75,000 cash bond. If he does post that, he would be on house arrest. He would only be allowed to leave for court appearances. He was also ordered to have no contact with any minor -- and not use a computer.

If convicted, Hawkins faces up to 60 years in prison.

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