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Midway Today
By the People, for the People
Midway Man Sentenced to 6 Years Probation for Failing to Report Social Media Account
Seventy-year-old sex offender William Claude Shelton pleaded guilty to violating registration requirements.
Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:40pm
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A forensic investigation into a sex offender's online activity uncovers unreported social media accounts, exposing gaps in monitoring and compliance.Midway TodayA 70-year-old man in Midway, Arkansas named William Claude Shelton has been sentenced to 6 years of probation after pleading guilty to failing to report a social media account as required by his sex offender registration. Shelton, a Level 4 registered sex offender, was found to have an undisclosed email account and Facebook profile that he had not reported to authorities as mandated.
Why it matters
Sex offenders are required to disclose all online identities as part of their registration to allow law enforcement to monitor their online activity and prevent potential repeat offenses. Shelton's failure to report his social media accounts is a violation of these requirements and raises concerns about his compliance with the terms of his registration.
The details
According to the Baxter County Sheriff's Office, during a routine compliance check, investigators discovered that Shelton had failed to report an email account he had maintained since 2020 as well as a Facebook account believed to belong to him. Shelton had originally been convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse in 1989 involving two minor males.
- On April 13, 2026, Shelton pled guilty to one count of failure to comply with registration and reporting requirements in Baxter County Circuit Court.
- Shelton was sentenced to 6 years of probation on the same date.
The players
William Claude Shelton
A 70-year-old man from Midway, Arkansas who is a Level 4 registered sex offender, the highest classification indicating a high risk to reoffend.
Baxter County Sheriff's Office
The law enforcement agency that conducted the compliance check and investigation that led to Shelton's conviction.
What’s next
The judge will monitor Shelton's compliance with the terms of his 6-year probation sentence to ensure he properly reports all online accounts and activities.
The takeaway
This case highlights the importance of sex offenders fully complying with registration requirements, especially regarding online activity, in order to allow law enforcement to effectively monitor them and protect the public.
