Officials: Milwaukee sex offender who removed GPS bracelet faces new homicide, sexual assault charges

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A 48-year-old Milwaukee man faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree sexual assault following an incident that occurred on April 4, 2023. The charges are marked in a criminal complaint from the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

Authorities linked the crimes to Eddie Williams through detailed investigation and forensic analysis of previous convictions and investigations, particularly the investigation of a sexual assault and homicide committed in Brown Deer in Aug. 2023.

The victim, referred to in the complaint, was reportedly discovered in a dilapidated Milwaukee home, showing signs of a violent struggle and sexual assault. The investigation revealed that Williams allegedly used a dangerous weapon in the commission of both crimes.

Williams was reportedly identified and tied to the April homicide and assault following the investigation into an Aug. 3, 2023 sexual assault and homicide of a woman in Brown Deer. DNA evidence from a Sept. 2023 lab report in that case tied Williams to the April 4 crimes, according to the complaint.

Officials note in the complaint that Williams' criminal history extends back to the 1990s, including a 1997 conviction of attempted first-degree sexual assault and strong-armed robbery for an attack on a 14-year-old girl. Also, in 1996, Williams was reportedly found guilty of first-degree sexual assault of a child, where he forcibly assaulted a 10-year-old girl.

These convictions gave authorities a history of violent and predatory actions, contributing to his classification as a persistent repeater under the law. He had been classified as a sexual offender but was reportedly non-compliant with the sex offender registry, even reportedly having removed his GPS tracking bracelet before the April and Aug. 2023 crimes took place.

Williams' bail is set at $200,000, and his preliminary hearing is set for Friday, Feb. 9.

Williams faces life imprisonment without parole if convicted of the April homicide, and the additional sexual assault charge could extend his sentence by up to 60 years.

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