Absconding Sex Offender Arrested Again

The following press release has been issued by Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

Murphy, NC— Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer announced the September 13th, 2016 arrest of Justin Ryan Barber, a 27-year-old Murphy, North Carolina man on charges of absconding.

Justin Barber who was convicted in 2008 in Cherokee County Superior Court for Incest. Barber, who had previously been convicted of a Failure to Register Violation, was scheduled to appear in Superior Court on August 22nd, 2016 on a current Probation Violation charge. Barber failed to appear as required and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

A search for Barber revealed that he had moved from his registered residence and his residence at that time was unknown. Barber had failed to inform the Sheriff of any address change.

As the investigation continued, information became known that Barber was living at a residence in the Hiwassee Dam community. When patrol deputies arrived at the residence, they were met by Barber at the front door who ran to the back of the house and apparently stripped out of clothing and jumped out the back window of the residence where he was captured, redressed and brought to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

Upon arriving at the Cherokee County Detention Center a wants and warrant check on Barber was made which revealed that he had an outstanding warrant in Georgia.

Barber was charged with FAILURE TO APPEAR ON FELONY PROBATION VIOLATION AND FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE. Barber was given a $25,000 secure bond and has a November 7, 2016 Superior Court date.

Sheriff Palmer stated, “This was some good work by the patrol deputies to capture Barber. Although there has been debate concerning the constitutionality of North Carolina Sex Offender Registry, I believe this is a good example why we have such laws and the importance of enforcing them.”

Sheriff Palmer encourages anyone with information to report it. To report crime in Cherokee County you can call the anonymous tip line at 828-837-1344 or email a tip at crime.tips@cherokeecounty-nc.gov or call 911 if you observe a crime in progress.

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