$3,000 Reward Offered In Case Of Escaped Suspected Child Molester In San Jose
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A $3,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of a suspected child molester who escaped custody in San Jose.
Crime Stoppers is offering the reward for the arrest of Johnell Carter.
Carter has been the subject of a massive manhunt since he overpowered a deputy transporting him to an appointment at Valley Medical Center and escaped Friday.
Carter was scheduled to stand trial next month on five counts of child molestation for allegedly sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl.
The Silicon Valley chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse, or BACA is providing around-the-clock security for the victim.
Despite the severity of the charges, and a possible punishment that included life in prison, the Sheriff's office says he was classified as a minimum-security inmate.
"Because he's a minimum security inmate, our policy says that only one deputy guards him. We are going to reevaluate that policy," Santa Clara County Sheriff Spokesperson Sgt. James Jensen said.
BACA says they will guard the family until Carter is once again behind bars.
"They're part of our family. So, when a unique situation like this happens and they get scared, they can look out the window and see people they know – people who love them," Hoss said.
