Louisa County officials are asking for the public’s help locating a wanted sex offender with previous charges in multiple counties. He is listed as absconded and in non-compliance. The public should call 911 to report if he is seen.

They are searching for 33-year-old John Barnes whose last known address was Burlington, but he had previously resided in Louisa County. Court records also show he formerly lived in Keokuk County.

In October of 2024, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office conducted a sex offender registration compliance check and determined that Barnes, who was a registered sex offender, was in violation of his registration. Barnes was charged with three counts of second or subsequent offense registration violation, all Class D felonies. Barnes was previously convicted of a first offense registration violation, an aggravated misdemeanor, in Keokuk County on February 17, 2020, and a second or subsequent offense registration violation, a Class D felony, in Washington County on March 26, 2020.

Barnes also has multiple sex offender registration violation charges out of Illinois. 

The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to contact 911 if Barnes is seen.  

He is listed as a tier three sex offender, requiring quarterly updates.