Carey Johns

A suspect was arrested Monday on charges he sexually abused a young girl several years ago when he lived in Bruin.

But state police had to fly to Iowa to get 42-year-old Carey M. Johns, who is back in Butler County, behind bars.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton arraigned Johns on felony charges 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 was arraigned on a misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure.

Stoughton set Johns' bond at $100,000. He also imposed the release condition that Johns have no contact with the victim or her family.

His arrest followed an investigation that began in December 2018 when police received a report of suspected child abuse. According to police, the victim told authorities the suspect 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. He was allowed to leave while the investigation continued.

The day after the interview, police believe Johns fled the state for Iowa, Trooper Richard Giustini, the investigating officer, said Tuesday.

Police did not know, or would not say, why Johns ended up in Iowa.

Once the investigation was completed and the county district attorney's office approved the charges, Stoughton issued an arrest warrant for the defendant April 15.

Police eventually contacted Iowa authorities, who recently took Johns into custody. Giustini and two other troopers boarded a plane about 7 a.m. Monday for the Hawkeye State. They returned home later that afternoon.

Johns' preliminary hearing is set May 5. It was not known if he has an attorney.