Wanted Kentucky and Tennessee sex offender found hiding in Graves County home

A Kentucky and Tennessee Sex Offender was arrested Monday near Pryorsburg.

Authorities said they have been searching for 43-year-old John E. West (Johnny West), a convicted sex offender, for the past several months. West failed to appear for his court trial in Graves County in 2024 leading to an arrest warrant being issued for Bail Jumping. 

In addition to that charge, an active arrest warrant was issued also in 2024 for violating his Sex Offender Registration Requirements. 

In Tennessee, West had been granted parole by the Tennessee Department of Corrections after being convicted of evading arrest and aggravated assault.  His parole was revoked and a Parole Violation Warrant was issued for his arrest in November 2024. 

On several occasions over the past few months several law enforcement agencies have checked West's mothers home, located near Pryorsburg on US Hwy 45 South, a location that he has been known to reside. Authorities never found West at the home and said they had statements from his mother that he was not there and she had no idea of his whereabouts. 

Graves County Sheriff's deputies said they began receiving information that West was in fact living at that home and that West mother was hiding him. 

On Monday morning, deputies with the Graves and McCracken County Sheriff's Offices, along with Deputy U.S. Marshals went to the home in Pryorsburg where West's mother again told authorities West was not there. 

A search was conducted, and a trap door was found in a closet that led to underneath the house. Another trap door was located in a bedroom disguised as a mirror, that led to an interior wall, and that is where officers located West hiding. 

West's mother, 78-year-old Carlien E. West, was not arrested but was cited on a charge of harboring a non-compliant sex offender and has a pending court date. She reportedly stated she had been aiding him from being captured because she did not want him to go to jail. 

West was transported to an out of county detention center, and is facing charges in Graves County, and in Tennessee. Charges are also pending in federal court by the U.S, Marshals Service. 

Authoriteis said an investigation is ongoing involving another suspect who was reportedly aiding West in eluding authorities.