WELLFORD, S.C. — In a coordinated law enforcement effort, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office has successfully apprehended a fugitive sex offender, 31-year-old Shaun Ryan Johnson, who fled New York to avoid prosecution on a rape charge.
Johnson, who has a history of sex offenses including forcible touching and rape of a 12-year-old victim, was the subject of an intense search after authorities in New York issued an arrest warrant. An anonymous tip led officials to believe that Johnson might be hiding in the Upstate area of South Carolina.
The Spartanburg County sex offender registry officers were able to confirm Johnson’s presence in the area, leading to swift action by the sheriff’s office. Within just three hours of verifying the information, law enforcement located and arrested Johnson in Wellford.
Currently, Johnson is being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center. He awaits extradition back to New York where he will face charges for the rape allegation. This arrest underscores the effectiveness of inter-state cooperation among law enforcement agencies and the critical role of community tips in apprehending fugitives.