Sex offender arrested in northern Ariz. wilderness

PHOENIX (AP) — A convicted sex offender wanted in Washington state has been arrested in northern Arizona.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office says 53-year-old Monte Dean Johnston was found at a campground outside Prescott.

The Arizona Republic says the Walla Walla (Wash.) County Sheriff’s Office contacted Yavapai County authorities July 20 about Johnston possibly living in wilderness outside Prescott.

Walla Walla officials say Johnston was previously convicted of molesting a pre-teen and had a warrant out for his arrest for escaping community custody.

Yavapai County Sheriff’s officials say Johnston apparently had been in the Prescott area since last year, but hadn’t registered as a sex offender as required by Arizona law.

Johnston was arrested on suspicion of failing to register and booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on $50,000 bond.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com