Convicted child molester arrested in Athens high-crime area

By Joe Johnson

Damond Ladean Hewell, 44, of Hull, was arrested Wednesday afternoon when he was found outside an Athens liquor store.

Officer Samuel Calderon reports that he was patrolling the high-crime area of Danielsville and Ila roads at about 4:45 pm when he noticed a car of interest parked at Norwood Package Store.

The officer went to speak with the driver because of his criminal history, then saw that Hewell was in the back seat.

When the man voluntarily disclosed that he was on probation for failing to register as a sex offender

Calderon returned to his patrol car in order to run a computer check, at which time Hewell bolted from the car and ran into a wooded area across the street.

The officer gave chase and arrested Hewell after a brief pursuit.

When searched he was found to have debit cards that were issued to other people.

According to published accounts, Hewell was convicted on multiple counts of child molestation seven years ago in Madison County Superior Court.

He was booked into the local jail on an obstruction charge and a hold on his release was requested by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.