FAYETTEVILLE — A routine sex offender verification check in Fayetteville led to the arrest of a registered offender after authorities say he failed to report a social media account as required by law.
According to a criminal complaint, West Virginia State Police conducted the verification around 7:21 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at a residence on Franklin Heights. During the visit, Senior Trooper Ferris reviewed the registration of William Howard and observed several mobile applications on Howard’s phone, including the social media platform TikTok.
Trooper Ferris reportedly found that Howard’s TikTok account was not listed on his sex offender registration, as required under West Virginia reporting guidelines. The complaint states Howard showed the trooper his profile, which contained multiple posted videos dating back to January 14, 2023, with the most recent posted on December 31, 2025.
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Howard told authorities he had maintained the TikTok account for approximately three years.
State Police records indicate Howard last registered at the Oak Hill Detachment on December 22, 2025, and signed a Form 270 acknowledging his obligation to report changes to required information — including internet accounts, screen names, phone numbers, and email addresses — within ten business days.
Howard was arrested and transported to the Oak Hill Detachment for processing on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender.