ROCKINGHAM — Another convicted sex offender is facing a charge for being near children.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received a complaint on Oct. 15 alleging that 20-year-old Ethan David Hodges had gone with a woman and her minor child to a pediatric medical clinic the previous day.
According to the complainant, concerns arose after she learned of Hodges' sex offender registration status and his presence at the medical facility,” reads a press release from the sheriff’s office.
Deputies reportedly investigated the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether or not his presence violated state restrictions.
Investigators obtained a warrant for Hodges’ arrest on Oct. 27, charging him with being a sex offender on child premises.
(NOTE: The warrant does not specify where Hodges was.)
Hodges was booked into the Richmond County Jail where he is being held on a $35,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 5.
"The safety and well-being of children in our community remain a priority for the Richmond County Sheriff's Office,” Sheriff Mark Gulledge said in a statement.” We take allegations involving violations of sex offender restrictions seriously and remain committed to thoroughly investigating these matters and holding individuals accountable through the appropriate judicial process."
Hodges is the second registered sex offender to be charged with that crime this month.
Michael Wayne Cox, who had been wanted since March on a charge of failing to register, was reportedly caught hiding in a vehicle at West Rockingham Elementary School on Oct. 15.
According to state records, Hodges was convicted on Jan. 7 of second-degree kidnapping and sexual battery — exactly one year after the offense. A charge of second-degree forcible rape was dismissed per a plea agreement.
(NOTE: Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction list only the kidnapping conviction.)
The N.C. Sex Offender Registry notes that Hodges was 19 at the time of the offense and the victim was 15.
Online court records show Hodges was also convicted of resisting a public officer in 2024 and misdemeanor breaking and entering in 2025.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
