Out-of-state professor accused of 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in Box Elder County

TREMONTON, Utah (ABC4) — An out-of-state university professor was taken into custody in Box Elder County on Monday, accused of 20 counts of second-degree felony sexual exploitation of a minor.

The suspect, identified as Collin James Hawkins, 27, had allegedly downloaded several videos containing child sex abuse material (CSAM) onto two separate phones.

According to court documents, Kik, a messenger app, reported the illegal content to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The case was originally assigned to the Idaho Crimes Against Children task force, but was later transferred to Utah after his name and address were found to be associated with a home in Tremonton.

Utah detectives conducted a search of the home on Sunday, June 1, and detained Hawkins for questioning. Hawkins reportedly asked to speak to an officer privately and was told they were serving a warrant for evidence of CSAM. When asked, Hawkins allegedly told officers that it was not surprising that they were there.

Hawkins was taken into custody but declined to speak with investigators any further and requested an attorney, according to court records. He was booked into the Box Elder County Jail on 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a child, but officers said they believe “this is a generously underestimated amount.”

While court documents did not disclose which university Hawkins taught at, records indicated he was an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University-Idaho. In a statement to ABC4.com, the university confirmed that Hawkins was no longer an employee at the university.