A Safford man drew the attention of police after a 14-year-old girl admitted he had given her a tattoo.

The girl was brought to the police station June 11 after her mother discovered the marking.

She told detectives that the man, William Nickens II, 24, of Safford had given her and three of her friends tattoos after a concert at The Stir in May.

Officers confiscated this homemade tattoo gun after learning it had been used to tattoo an underage girl. Detective Bill Wren said it is reminiscent of ones he has seen in prison. Photo by Jon Johnson

The alleged victim said Nickens performed the tattooing at his residence on Third Street in Safford. She said he used a tattoo gun that he made himself.

In Arizona, a parent or legal guardian must be present when tattooing anyone under the age of 18. The tattoo artist must be licensed and use a new, sterilized needle for each new body. A tattoo artist cannot engage in tattooing out of a home or temporary structure.

Officers located Nickens at his home June 13, and he admitted performing the tattoos there. He showed them a homemade tattoo gun that used a guitar string for a needle. Detective Bill Wren said this indicates that the same string was used as a needle for each separate tattoo.

According to a police report, Nickens, who is not licensed to perform tattoos, said he never asked the age of the girls or for any identification.

Nickens was arrested on an unrelated outstanding warrant, and a report of the incident was sent to the Graham County Attorney’s office. Nickens faces possible felony charges relating to unlawfully performing tattoos.

Safford Police Chief John Griffin warned that getting a homemade tattoo is not only dangerous and unsanitary but is illegal, and artists will be prosecuted.

The only licensed tattoo business listed locally is the Ink Dragon at 205 E. Highway 70.