Hillsborough Deputies Book 30 Sex Offenders In Pre-Halloween Checks

Halloween restrictions for supervised sex offenders were the focus of a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office sweep that ended in 30 arrests.

Detectives examined registration files for 1,202 registered sex offenders living in unincorporated Hillsborough County. In the final week before October 31, the sheriff's office worked alongside the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to confirm that offenders resided at their reported addresses and met the terms of their registration, supervision and probation. Sheriff Chad Chronister joined detectives on visits to homes, including residences of offenders previously convicted of sexual battery against a child under 12. Chronister said, "There is nothing more important than safeguarding children in our community." He added, "Our efforts ensured these offenders were in compliance, and those who were in violation went back to jail."

The operation identified failures to register a vehicle kept at a property, to obtain a driver's license carrying an updated address, and to report for registration inside the required window. Probation and supervision conditions for Halloween bar offenders from handing out candy, setting out decorations, and leaving porch lights on, according to the sheriff's office, which said violations of those limits can result in arrest.

Detectives arrested Reginald Walker, 69, on October 26 at a home in the 1000 block of Johnson Pointe Drive in Plant City. Walker must carry a Florida identification card marked "Sexual Predator" on its front, but investigators reported finding a white covering used to obscure the label. Agents also found social media accounts and an email address he had not reported to the Florida Department of Corrections or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Walker faces one count of violating probation for unlawful internet activity, two counts of failing to register a phone number, nine counts of failing to register an internet identifier, and one count of possessing an altered driver's license as a sexual predator. The sheriff's office lists prior convictions for sexual battery with a weapon or force, robbery, grand theft of a motor vehicle and violation of probation.

On October 27, deputies checked on Robert Williamson, 60, at a home in the 1400 block of York Street in Brandon. Investigators reported finding two cellphones on him, one running an app he used for sexual conversations with AI-generated female children, which violated his probation terms. Detectives determined he had no access to victims and found no sign of unreported offenses. He was booked on a charge of violating probation by using prohibited programs. The sheriff's office describes him as a five-time convicted felon with past convictions that include sexual battery on a victim younger than 12 and lewd and lascivious molestation.

Registration failures in the arrests included missing reporting deadlines, not reporting changes in owned vehicles, and providing false information after registration. Charges listed against those arrested also include unlawful internet activity, unlawful possession of an unreported cellphone, failure to report a passport, violation of residency restrictions, traveling to meet a minor after using computer services to solicit certain illegal acts, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Registered sex offenders and predators can be searched by address through the online database maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.