Man tattoos underage girls

By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Sunday, June 22, 2008 7:21 PM MST

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.

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Comments

10 comment(s)

andrea wrote on May 8, 2009 2:06 PM:

" This is a fair punishment. However, me being 16 yrs. of age I personally would like to get a tattoo. But, I am also not a little girl at the age of 14. It was an unwise decision for the parents of these 14 yr. old girls to be at a concert with out parental supervision. "

Tony wrote on Dec 8, 2008 4:07 PM:

" That's why, if you want a tattoo, you come to Exile Ink. "

ITK wrote on Jun 30, 2008 3:35 PM:

" You don't have to do time to know how to make a tattoo gun. My son and his friends used to make them when they were in Jr. High. Funny thing is they never tattoo'd themselves or anyone else. They are not hard to make. "

REALLY wrote on Jun 24, 2008 5:27 AM:

" Well I got my first one when I was only 16 and without my parents permission, stupid as it may have been my parents punished me and never once asked where I got it. I have to wonder how much trouble these girls got into. Lets just hope they didnt get AIDS or anything else for that matter. "

Exile Ink Customer wrote on Jun 24, 2008 3:08 AM:

" There is another Tattoo Business in Thatcher called Exile Ink at 2509 w 70 in Thatcher "

Michael wrote on Jun 23, 2008 10:25 PM:

" Aren't we missing the point here? Was it a good tattoo? "

Jen wrote on Jun 23, 2008 7:22 PM:

" what a moron - the same thing happened in our town not too long ago "

gondo wrote on Jun 23, 2008 4:54 PM:

" What stupid girls for going along with that. Is there not a concern for AIDS any longer? "

Bro wrote on Jun 23, 2008 8:06 AM:

" Looks like he must have done some time before to know how to make a homeade tattoo gun like that. "

bwana wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:17 PM:

" Nickens?
What a stupid man! "

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