City Council Member Responds To Allegations Of Misdemeanor Child Abuse

SAN JACINTO, CA — A San Jacinto City Council member arrested earlier this month in Lake Elsinore and charged with two counts of misdemeanor child abuse/endangerment released a statement Wednesday that stressed his "commitment to the well-being of all children."

Brian Eugene Hawkins, 44, acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and said "he is fully committed to cooperating with the legal process to ensure a fair and just resolution."

Hawkins pleaded not guilty to the charges on July 6 at Banning Justice Center and is next due to appear in court Aug. 17 for a trial readiness conference.

In Wednesday's statement, the council member 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 arrested July 2 at Hibiscus Lane in Lake Elsinore and booked on suspicion of multiple felony child abuse charges. All the felony charges were dropped, however, and four days after his arrest, Hawkins was released from custody in lieu of $5,000 bail, jail records show.

He was jailed at Riverside's Robert Presley Detention Center with bail initially set at $200,000 before the felony charges were dropped.

Hawkins is a convicted felon. In 2004, he was found guilty on four counts of felony petty/grand auto theft and he had prior convictions, according to court records.

The latest Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation into Hawkins began at 12:39 p.m. July 2 when the agency's dispatch center received a call about a domestic incident at a home in the 400 block of Mistletoe Avenue in San Jacinto, according to the law enforcement agency.

Hawkins allegedly assaulted two children at the residence, the sheriff's department reported. The department did not disclose Hawkins' relationship, if any, to the youth.

The city of San Jacinto released a statement about the arrest.

"As this is an ongoing criminal investigation, the City of San Jacinto is unable to provide further details or comment on the matter at this time; however, the city takes the allegations against Mr. Hawkins seriously. The city has agreed to assist in the investigation should assistance be requested," the city announcement read.

Hawkins was elected to the City Council in 2020.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled July 18.

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

Earlier this year, Hawkins filed papers to run for Congress in 2024 as a Democrat against Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona.

According to his LinkedIn biography, Hawkins is a pastor.

Earlier this year, 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.

Last year, 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.