Child Endangerment Trial Underway For San Jacinto City Council Member

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Prosecution testimony began Monday in the trial of a San Jacinto City Council member accused of abusing his son and daughter, including choking the latter.

Brian Eugene Hawkins, 46, of Banning is charged with two counts of child endangerment in connection with the alleged 2023 offenses.

A jury was seated for the trial last week, and Riverside County Superior Court Judge Francisco Navarro ordered the panel to return to the Riverside Hall of Justice Monday for the start of testimony by witnesses for the government.

Hawkins is free on his own recognizance.

According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney's Office, on the afternoon of July 2, 2023, the defendant went to his ex-wife's residence in San Jacinto to retrieve his 10-year-old son, identified only as "E.H.," and his 11-year-old daughter, identified only as "N.F.," and both children expressed a desire to remain with their mother, whose name was not disclosed, rather than going on the obligatory custody visit with their dad.

The children did not like joining him because he lived with his mother, who spoke derisively about their mother, according to court papers.

"The defendant threatened to beat both of the kids," the brief stated.

When the children continued to resist leaving with him, his anger surged, and he grabbed his son by the arm, forcibly pushing him into the front door, prosecutors alleged.

"Afterward, N.F. stated her father grabbed her arm aggressively with one hand, and with the other hand, choked her," the brief said. "She estimated the defendant strangled her for approximately three seconds. Additionally, she had bruising on her thigh from the defendant forcefully grabbing her."

The defendant's son said that, along with being thrown into the door, his father allegedly "picked up a belt from the floor and hit him with the non-buckle side to his lower back," according to the brief.

Hawkins left the house without the children, but returned a few minutes later, when he was confronted by his ex-wife, who informed him she had called 911 and "law enforcement was on its way, and he needed to leave," the narrative said.

Deputies spoke to the children and had them examined physically, after which they determined there was sufficient evidence to warrant an arrest. Hawkins was taken into custody without incident.

While interviewing the defendant, he "denied choking (his daughter)," according to the brief.

"He agreed that the fact he left a mark or marks on his son's body is reasonable to believe he used excessive force," the document stated.

Court records show the defendant has prior convictions for grand theft and auto theft, for which he served time in state prison.

Following Hawkins' 2023 arrest, he said he "is fully committed to cooperating with the legal process to ensure a fair and just resolution." He released a statement at the time that said he "believes in the fundamental principle of innocent until proven guilty" and urged the public "to withhold judgment until all the facts are presented and evaluated by the legal system." (Read his full statement below.*)

Hawkins was elected to the San Jacinto City Council in 2020 and served through 2024. During the Nov. 5 election, Crystal Ruiz won his seat. Hawkins was on the ballot.

In 2022, Hawkins made an unsuccessful bid for Congress as a Republican against Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Coachella Valley.

According to his LinkedIn biography, Hawkins is a pastor.

In early 2023, Hawkins filed papers to run for Congress in 2024 as a Democrat against Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona. Ultimately, Hawkins was not on the primary ballot.

In 2023, Hawkins was at a Temecula Valley Unified School District meeting amid a heated discussion about critical race theory. He allegedly came to the aid of a young Black student. Read more here.

In 2022, Hawkins spoke to Patch about gun violence. Read more here.

*Read Hawkins' full statement released July 12, 2023:

Councilman Brian Hawkins, a respected public servant, and dedicated advocate for our community, wishes to address the recent allegations made against him, regarding misdemeanor child endangerment. Councilman Hawkins acknowledges the seriousness of these allegations and assures the public that he is fully committed to cooperating with the legal process to ensure a fair and just resolution.

He deeply values the trust bestowed upon him by his constituents and the entire community. Councilman Hawkins understands the sensitivity of the situation and the importance of protecting the privacy of those involved. While he cannot provide specific details, he remains resolute in his commitment to the well-being of all children.

Councilman Hawkins believes in the fundamental principle of innocent until proven guilty and urges the public to withhold judgment until all the facts are presented and evaluated by the legal system. During this time, he appreciates the support, understanding, and respect for the privacy of all parties involved.

About Councilman Brian Hawkins:
Councilman Brian Hawkins has served our community with dedication and passion for over a decade. Known for his tireless efforts to uplift and improve the lives of his constituents, Councilman Hawkins has been a driving force behind many successful initiatives aimed at enhancing education, public safety, and overall quality of life. He is currently a candidate for Congress in CA-41, seeking to bring his proven track record of effective leadership to a larger stage. For more information, please visit www.realpastorbrian.com.

—City News Service contributed to this report.