Arizona Counselor Allegedly Faked His Own Death to Avoid Registering as Sex Offender, Police Say

A convicted sex offender and behavioral health counselor in Arizona was arrested after he was supposed to register as a sex offender, but instead faked his own death to avoid the requirement, authorities claimed.

According to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Benjamin Hollins was convicted as a sex offender in California more than two decades ago.

In 2018, Hollins moved to Arizona, but he failed to register there as a sex offender, authorities said.

Hollins was reportedly working as a behavioral health counselor in Arizona when he reoffended. He was accused of kidnapping and molesting a 16-year-old client.

He entered into a plea deal and was put on supervised probation. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender every year as part of the deal.

In October 2023, officials said a woman helped Hollins file a false death report, claiming she saw him jump off a bridge.

However, the sheriff’s office said they never found Hollins’ body despite devoting numerous resources to the search.

Authorities noted, “Once Hollins was ‘dead,’ his sex offender registration lapsed.”

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Despite Hollins' purported death, the Chandler Police Department continued their search.

On May 14, officials said they tracked him down to a home in Mesa, where he was living under an assumed name.

Hollins was reportedly living with a family with young children who “had no idea about his history,” police said.