Area basketball coach arrested for communicating inappropriately with minors

An area youth athletic coach was arrested on Sept. 22 for allegedly contacting a minor inappropriately, according to the Rocklin Police Department. Eric James Hawkins, 48, of Antelope was a coach for several programs, such as Center High School's freshman basketball coach for the 2019-2020 season and Oak Ridge High's freshman basketball coach for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons, according to Maxpreps. Hawkins was arrested and charged with "annoying or molesting a victim under 18 years old," and is currently in Placer County Jail, according to the Rocklin Police Department. He is ineligible for bail, according to the 24 Hour Booking & Release Report. According to the Rocklin Police Department press release, an investigation started after they were alerted of inappropriate communications between Hawkins and a Rocklin minor. The Rocklin Police investigation uncovered an additional minor victim, according to a Rocklin Police Department news release. Anyone who has information about Hawkins' case is urged to call the Rocklin Police Department at 916-625-5400.