A Baxter County man convicted of sex crimes in 2010 has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to failing to report social media accounts as required under state law. William Shelton, 71, entered his plea Monday in Baxter County Circuit Court.
Shelton, classified as a Level 4 sex offender—considered the highest risk designation—must comply with strict reporting guidelines, including regularly disclosing addresses, employment, phone numbers, and social media accounts. His non-compliance was discovered during an April 22 compliance check at his residence, according to law enforcement. Officers found Shelton had access to unreported social media accounts.
Shelton’s reporting requirements stem from a 2010 conviction for possession of child pornography. Authorities determined the illegal material, largely depicting prepubescent and pubescent males, was discovered after Shelton brought his computer to a repair shop, prompting a police investigation. A subsequent search of his home unearthed more than 1,000 images of naked males on discs, DVDs, and another computer. He was sentenced to five years in prison for that offense.
According to the county’s sex offender registry, Shelton has a history of cultivating relationships with adults to gain access to their children. Court documents indicate that his victims have been pubescent males, and that he has admitted to having a deviant sexual attraction to boys aged 10 to 14. Officers further reported Shelton told them he actively redirects himself when he encounters children he finds “cute” in order to prevent “issues.”
As a Level 4 sex offender, authorities describe Shelton as someone with impaired judgment or control, marked by sexually violent compulsions he is unable to manage. Officials classify offenders at this level as having a likelihood to reoffend due to conditions such as pedophilia, mental illness, or personality disorders.
Shelton has been represented in recent non-reporting cases by attorney Ben Burnett.