State police charged a man Thursday with sexually abusing a young girl several years ago when he lived in Bruin.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton issued a felony arrest warrant for Carey Matthew Johns, 42, who police suspect may be living in Iowa.

Johns is charged with felony counts of aggravated indecent assault of a child, attempted aggravated indecent assault of a child, indecent assault of a child and corruption of minors. Additionally, he is charged with a misdemeanor count of indecent exposure.

The investigation began in December 2018 when police received a report of suspected child abuse. According to police, the victim told authorities the defendant abused her between 2014 and 2016, when she was between 8 and 10 year old.

The alleged sexual assaults happened at the home in Bruin where Johns was living at the time. He is also accused of subjecting the girl to videos of a sexual nature.

Police interviewed Johns at the barracks Jan. 21, 2019. Details about the interview were not provided. The defendant, however, apparently did not ask to speak to an attorney.

Following the interview, police said they received information that Johns fled the state. At least some of those reports came from the defendant's family members.

Trooper Richard Giustini, the investigating officer, said he has had no contact with Johns since the 2019 interview. He declined to say why police believe the defendant may be in Iowa.