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PRESS RELEASE 08/04/2008

'UNDERWEAR MEASURER' CHARGED IN 19 COUNT INDICTMENT

Faces 107 years in prison

A Hamilton County Grand Jury today indicted Ben Hawkins (M/W/44) for the unpermitted contact th 11 minors ranging in ages from 9 to 16 years of age, both male and female, over the period March 1 through ly 25, 2008.

The Defendant posed as a "researcher" for Springfield Research where he solicited the victims to engage in a "marketing survey". The defendant was seeking young teenagers. He would meet with the children and their parent(s), then remove the children to a separate area and ask them to remove their clothing to inspect their underwear.

Importuning is the solicitation of another for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. Importuning is a Felony of the 3d degree (9 counts-each count carries 1-5 years in prison)

Kidnapping, a felony of the first degree, is causing a person to be removed from a place where they are found for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. There is a specification to each Kidnapping count alleging that the defendant committed the offense with a sexual motivation. (7 counts-each count carries 3-10 years in prison)

Gross Sexual Imposition is the sexual contact between persons when the victim is under 13 and is a felony of the 3d degree. (1 count which carries 1-5 years in prison; 2 counts of Attempt GSI which carry 6-12 months in prison)

These acts occurred throughout Hamilton County-Amberley Village, St Bernard, Sprindale, and Harrison. The defendant has prior convictions which involve the use or attempted use of minors for sexual purposes.

It is possible there are other children in Hamilton County that have been victimized by this scam.

Deters called the defendant a predator who deserves to be locked up for a "very long time because he will continue to prey upon young children unless he is removed from the community".