A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of

a man jailed on child molestation charges who escaped from custody in San

Jose last Friday, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.

Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers, based on a request from the

sheriff’s office, has offered up to $3,000 to anyone who provides information

on the whereabouts of 40-year-old Johnell Carter that results in his

apprehension, sheriff’s Sgt. James Jensen said.

Last Friday at 1:23 p.m., deputies received a report that Carter,

who had been sent from the county jail to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center

for treatment, had escaped from custody after assaulting and injuring a

deputy.

He was last seen fleeing on foot, dressed in his green-colored

jail clothing, from the medical facility near the intersection of Thornton

Way and Moorpark Avenue in San Jose, deputies said.

The search operation that afternoon involved 45 sheriff’s

deputies, three police canine units, a sheriff’s helicopter and additional

helicopters provided by the California Highway Patrol and San Jose police,

but they could not locate Carter.

The deputy who fought with Carter was treated but was not

seriously hurt.

The escapee may have received assistance from someone to aid him

in eluding authorities for the past week, Jensen said.

“He is dangerous because he is on the run and he did fight with an

officer,” Jensen said.

The sheriff’s office has contacted the family of the child who was

victimized by Carter, he said.

“The family is aware he is on the loose,” he said.

Jensen said that it is his understanding that members of a

civilian motorcycle group have volunteered to help guard the home where the

victim’s family resides.

Carter was arrested by Campbell police on March 10, 2014, and

booked into jail on suspicion of five counts of child molestation, deputies

said.

He is a black man, 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 220 pounds with

a shaved head and the word “AMY” tattooed on his neck, Jensen said.

Campbell police Capt. Gary Berg said that Carter was held to

answer to the five felony charges at a preliminary hearing about a month ago

but no trial date has been set.

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