'Underwear measurer' arrested

'Underwear measurer' arrestedPolice: Man posed as researcher with kids

Before his Thursday arrest, Ben Hawkins was best known to Hamilton County law enforcement officials for being convicted of a sex crime against a minor but not having to register as a sex offender.

That could end, though, if Hawkins is convicted of the sex crimes against children he was charged with Thursday.

That's when St. Bernard police charged Hawkins, 44, with scamming parents and kids into believing he was an "underwear measurer" so he could sexually touch children.

"This pervert needs to be removed from society forever," Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said.

Hawkins was arrested and charged with one count of gross sexual imposition - sexual touching - and one charge of attempted gross sexual imposition.

Other charges are expected. Deters said Hawkins' victims come from three families and range in age from 9 to 13.

Hawkins, of Springfield Township, is accused of passing himself off as a market researcher, using the names of two companies - one fictitious, the other a real Cincinnati company.

Contacts would be made with parents after Hawkins took out ads in a Cincinnati weekly alternative newspaper or when he responded to parents' ads for in-home child care. Those interested could respond to Hawkins' e-mail address, which he gave as "cincyteensandtweens."

Hawkins, Deters said, would arrange to meet the parents and their children at public places to deflect suspicion.

Hawkins is accused of meeting families at Roger Bacon High in St. Bernard, Mercy Franciscan Hospital in Mount Airy and even in some of the children's homes.

Once he met the families, Hawkins persuaded the parents he needed to be alone with the children for the research.

Hawkins allegedly told the children he needed to measure them for underwear, a ruse to sexually touch them, Deters said.

"This was done for the purpose of his own sexual gratification," Deters said. "We think there are going to be other victims here."

Bond was set today at $150,000 for Hawkins. In court today, Hawkins's lawyer argued to allow Hawkins to return home, saying the man has an illness that has cost him half his intestines since he was 16 and requires special feeding.

Hawkins has cooperated with authorities since April, his lawyer said, and hasn't left the area, even though he knew an investigation was ongoing.

Prosecutors, however, said Hawkins continued to search for victims even after the investigation began, and made contact with children and their parents in Harrison and Springdale. Additional charges in those incidents are expected, officials said.

Hawkins has two previous Hamilton County convictions involving teens or children and nudity.

In 1998, Hawkins was convicted of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material and sentenced to six months of house arrest and three years of probation.

In 2004, Hawkins was charged with disorderly conduct when he asked a teen girl to pose for nude photos. He was convicted and paid a $105 fine.

After his 1998 conviction, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office wondered why a convicted sex offender like Hawkins wasn't required to register.

The reason was a legal mix-up at the time of his conviction. Then-Common Pleas Judge Fred Cartolano didn't hold the necessary court hearing to determine if Hawkins was a sex offender.

Because of that, in a Dec. 21, 2007, hearing, Hawkins won a permanent injunction preventing the sheriff from requiring him to register as a sex offender. It also prevented the sheriff from placing Hawkins' name or photo on the list of sex offenders on the sheriff's Web site.

Deters' office is appealing that permanent injunction, insisting Hawkins should be required to register as a sex offender.

'Underwear measurer' arrested | Cincinnati Enquirer | Cincinnati.Com

What a fucking creep.

And what dumbass parent fell for this?

the real sad thing is that he will be walking the streets in a week, because the beds in the jail are full housing POT SMOKERS:rastasmoke: :rasta: :jointsmile: :smokin: :bigsmoke:

Thats so fucking wrong! Like there little kids, harmless and defensless, how can someone do that to them, hurt and traumatize them like that?:mad:

And are these parents bum fuk stupid?! some old sleezy creepy guy comes to you house asking to measure your kids underpants since when do you just hand over your kids to strangers? What, so you tell them their not allowed to talk to strangers but hell, how cares if their touched by them >/

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Originally Posted by Priincesss

And are these parents bum fuk stupid?!

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probably....thats like the epitome of a fishy situation....a traveling underwear measurer. There should be some kind of a test people need to take before the hospital lets them leave with their baby.

WTF?!?! These parents should have their kids taken away from them if they are that fucking retarded!

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Originally Posted by apocolips31

WTF?!?! These parents should have their kids taken away from them if they are that fucking retarded!

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NO shit, whats next a Door to Door Gynecologist
some people are so fucking stupid..
"um let me get my examination table from my Van"

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Originally Posted by illnillinois

NO shit, whats next a Door to Door Gynecologist
some people are so fucking stupid..
"um let me get my examination table from my Van"

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The only way I'd get in a van naked would be if it was a van down by the river :thumbsup:

This may cost him the other half of his intestines.