News 12 at 11, January 24, 2008

GRANITEVILLE, S.C. -- 60-year-old William Bucky Hicks Junior is in jail. Aiken County investigators say this isn't the first time he has been accused of a sexual assault on a young boy. He was charged in 2002 and may have even more victims from the 1970s.

Now, investigators are asking other potential victims to come forward.

News 12 spoke with Hicks' son, and only child, about the allegations.

David Hicks says these latest alleged attacks all happened before he was even born and for now, he's standing by his father. "It's a lot to soak in and i still haven't unwound yet."

This is the second time in six years William "Bucky" Hicks was arrested by the Sheriff's Office; the latest arrest warrants include allegations of nine more sexual assaults against another young boy.

"It's mind-boggling, more or less, it will definitely keep you up at night," David says.

Hicks' latest arrest stems from an email sent to the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

"We believe that there are more victims in the community," Lt. Michael Frank told News 12.

The arrest warrants detail graphic sexual encounters Hicks allegedly had with an 11-year-old boy. The alleged assaults lasted from 1973 to 1977, taking place inside Hicks' home and the victim's.

Investigators say Hicks could have had access to other young boys at the time. "Mr. Hicks was involved with youth baseball; he was a baseball coach and an area boxing club," explains Lt. Frank.

Investigators say Hicks' other arrest is unrelated to the most recent case against him. In 2002 he was arrested for another alleged sexual assault inside his Graniteville home, this time on a 15-year-old boy. The case is still awaiting prosecution.

News 12: "Do you think there is any chance your dad is guilty of these allegations?
David Hicks: "No."

For now, David is standing by the man who raised him and is now helping to raise his own three children; including 2 young boys. "That's my father and if he's at wrong, I'll admit to it, but I don't believe it in my heart and in my mind that he's at wrong."

And the Aiken County Sheriff's Office stands by its case, asking any other potential victims to come forward. Anyone with information on Mr. Hicks is asked to call Lt. Vicky Gaskins at 1(800)-922-9709.

Crimestoppers of the Midlands is also offering a cash reward.

A magistrate judge did not set a bond for Hicks at a bond hearing on Thursday. Instead, the judge referring Hicks' case up to the Circuit Court, so it's up to that judge to decide if Hicks will be released.