An 82-year-old registered sex offender has been arrested after deputies alleged he exposed himself to a group of children at Goldwater Lake in northern Arizona.
According to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the lake Thursday afternoon after receiving reports from park employees about a man allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior near children.
Investigators said several minors, ranging in age from 12 to 15, were paddleboarding near the shoreline when the suspect allegedly exposed himself and acted in a sexually inappropriate manner.
The suspect was identified as William “Bill” Baylor Lewis. Authorities said Lewis is listed as a Level 3 registered sex offender, the highest risk classification used in Arizona’s sex offender registration system.
Following an investigation at the scene, deputies arrested Lewis and booked him into jail on multiple charges. He faces six counts each of indecent exposure, public sexual indecency and disorderly conduct.
The allegations remain under investigation, and Lewis is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office encouraged members of the public to immediately report suspicious or concerning behavior to law enforcement, particularly when it involves the safety of children in public spaces.
