Timothy Johnson

U.S. Marshals are on a manhunt tonight for a Henry County man who skipped out on his trial for five counts of child molesting. Timothy L. Johnson, 48, of Knightstown, may be in Kosciusko County.

According to the victim’s stepmother, Johnson sexually abused a girl for more than a decade, beginning his criminal assaults when the child was not yet 7 years old.

Johnson, of Knightstown, failed to show up for the start of his Monday morning jury trial in Henry County. Judge Mary Willis issued a warrant for Johnson’s arrest and proceeded with the trial without him. According to MugWatch.com, the trial was held Tuesday with testimony provided by the victim and her mother.

The jury convicted Johnson on four felony counts of child molesting.

According to U.S. Marshals, Johnson was last known to be in Clinton, Tenn., on March 17, but he does have biological children and grandchildren in Warsaw, North Webster, Columbia City and Fort Wayne and could be in the area.

A convicted child molester may be in the Kosciusko County area. U.S. Marshals are searching for this 1999 Silverado he is believed to be driving. (Photo courtesy of MugWatch.com)

Johnson drives a 1999 Chevy Silverado extended cab truck with Indiana license plate TK267LVZ. He may be towing a white, 35-foot camper with an Indiana registration of 878CQ.

The convicted child molester is described as a white male, 6’1″, 220 pounds with blue eyes and blonde/strawberry blonde hair. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

If seen, contact local law enforcement immediately. The Kosciusko County Central Dispatch can be reached at 574-267-5667 or by calling 9-1-1. U.S. Marshals Service may also be reached at 800-336-0102.