2ND UPDATE — Authorities lose track of high-risk child rapist during pursuit in woods south of Sequim

Published 12:01 am Thursday, October 23, 2014

SEQUIM — Clallam County sheriff’s deputies have lost the track of sex offender Kenneth Scott “Tiny” Johnson during a pursuit in the woods off Youngquist Road south of Sequim this (Thursday) morning.

According to Clallam Undersheriff Ron Peregrin, deputies are standing down at this time, adding that Johnson is not thought to be a danger to the public.

Peregrin encourages area residents to remain vigilant and to contact dispatch at either 9-1-1 or the non-emergency number of 360-417-2459 if anyone has any knowledge of Johnson’s whereabouts.

Johnson, 35, is described as 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds.

He was last seen on foot in the 800 block of Youngquist Road near Palo Alto Road.

He was believed to be in the woods west of Youngquist Road, and was being pursued there by deputies this morning.

Johnson is being sought on a probable-cause warrant for failure to register as a sex offender — and officers have gotten help from “Washington’s Most Wanted” TV show.

The program, hosted by David Rose on Q13 Fox News of Seattle, recently focused on Johnson and offered a cash reward (up to $1,000 depending on whether he has a weapon or drugs on him and charges when found).

The show’s narration:

“Kenneth ‘Tiny’ Johnson is a Level 3 sex offender — the worst of the worst — who has gone off the grid in Clallam County.

“He’s a convicted child rapist who’s also been busted for child molestation, assault, domestic violence, giving drugs to a minor and a gun crime.

“Failing to register as a sex offender is one of the five warrants he has out for his arrest right now.

“If you know where he’s hiding, call an anonymous tip into CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

“You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest.”

“Washington’s Most Wanted,” which Rose said has led to the capture of more than 570 fugitives since 2008, gets requests for help from local police and sheriff’s departments.

In addition to being broadcast on Q13 Fox on Friday and Saturday nights at 10:30 p.m., “Washington’s Most Wanted” has a high-traffic website filled with photos of wanted fugitives, http://catchwmw.com.

The show’s website on Wednesday also spotlighted the hunt for another Clallam County man, Ari King.

Clallam sheriff’s deputies say King is a person of interest they want to talk to about the murder of 65-year-old Diane Cunningham. She was found dead in the Salt Creek RV Park in Joyce on Oct. 6. (See related story today.)

He’s 6-foot-3

Johnson, 35, has a conviction history of first-degree child molestation and third-degree rape of a child, said Ron Cameron, chief criminal deputy for the Clallam sheriff’s office.

Johnson failed to verify his address, according to the sheriff’s office’s sex offender database, which listed him as having been in Sequim.

The sheriff’s office describes Johnson as white, standing 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing 240 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

In addition to the probable-cause warrant, Johnson actually has six outstanding arrest warrants, with bail totaling $9,000, Cameron said.

Two of those are Superior Court warrants related to a felony, Cameron said. He said he did not have details on the felony charges.

The remaining four warrants are for misdemeanor offenses, Cameron said.

You can phone “Washington’s Most Wanted’s” Crime Stoppers hotline if you see Johnson or know of his whereabouts, or you can call the Clallam sheriff’s office at 360-417-2459 or dial 9-1-1.