A convicted sex offender who relocated to another state without notifying authorities and then came back in an attempt to
cover up his misstep was behind bars today.
James Thomas Johns
James Thomas Johns, 47, was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of failing to comply with California’s sex registration requirements.
Johns is being held in lieu of $5,000 bail at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
According to Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Stephen Mike, Johns, who had been living in East Hemet, slipped out of the state and moved to Rutherford County Tennessee recently.
The ex-con, who has multiple felony and misdemeanor convictions, allegedly failed to inform sheriff’s officials that he was leaving California.
Under Penal Code section 290, anyone convicted of a felony sex offense must register with a local law enforcement agency when they move into the area.
The law also requires that registrants alert authorities whenever they change residence, and that they annually renew their registration.
Mike said authorities in Tennessee initiated an investigation when Johns failed to register in that state.
“Johns moved back to the Hemet area on October 1 … and attempted to register with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department,” the sergeant said.
The suspect was arrested while he was filling out paperwork at the sheriff’s Hemet station. It was his birthday.
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