Detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are asking residents across Tampa Bay to help track down 43-year-old Timothy Watkins, who is wanted on allegations tied to sex offender registration violations. Anyone who knows where Watkins might be is asked to call the sheriff's non-emergency tip line at 813-247-8200.
In a recent "Warrant Wednesday" post, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office listed Watkins on two counts: "Failure of Sex Offender to Report within 48 Hours after a Change of Name or Residence" and "Failure of Sex Offender to Report" after leaving a residence. The social media post included a photo of Watkins and urged anyone with information to contact HCSO detectives rather than trying to intervene on their own.
Florida's 48‑Hour Reporting Rule
Under Florida law, anyone classified as a sexual offender has to report changes in name, residence, or other registration details within 48 hours and re-register as required by statute. The state registration statute spells out those duties and related reporting requirements, while the Florida Department of Law Enforcement offers guidance on how registrants must update addresses, vehicle information, and identification.
Depending on the specific violation, prosecutors can file felony charges. A second-degree felony in Florida can carry a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, along with fines set under state law. For the statutory language and official guidance, see Florida Statute 943.0435 and the sentencing framework in Florida Statute 775.082, as well as FDLE's registry guidance.
How To Share Tips Safely
The sheriff's office repeatedly reminds residents not to confront anyone they believe is wanted and to pass information directly to investigators instead. HCSO lists its non-emergency tip line as 813-247-8200 and Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477 for anonymous tips. If you believe a wanted person is nearby and poses an immediate threat, you are urged to call 911.
HCSO press releases and outreach materials routinely repeat the same safety message: leave the contact to deputies and detectives, and use official channels to share what you know.
Why 'Warrant Wednesday' Posts Keep Showing Up
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office leans on its weekly "Warrant Wednesday" social media series to broaden the search for people with active warrants and to spark community tips that can help detectives close cases faster. Local coverage has highlighted the posts as one of several tools agencies use to get more eyes on open warrants and speed up arrests.
For past examples of the program, HCSO has repeatedly turned to these midweek shout-outs to put names and faces in front of the public and to nudge anyone with information to pick up the phone.
