Sex Offender Makes Big Mistake

HYANNIS - A convicted sex offender and wanted criminal with a long term, extensive record made a big mistake in his efforts to stay free yesterday. He came to Barnstable and into the jurisdiction of the Barnstable Police Department and his freedom was suddenly over.

Although he managed to elude detection during background checks conducted by his employer by using a fake social security number, carnival worker Matthew Johnson, age 24, who reportedly once lived in Uxbridge, was quickly detected by the Barnstable Police and arrested on over 50 outstanding warrants.

A carnival operated by Fiesta Shows is in town at the Cape Cod Mall and will be here thru Sunday. Johnson's record includes charges of church vandalism, malicious destruction of property, burglary, tagging, larceny, and breaking into a motor vehicle. He is also a convicted level 2 sex offender and had been working for the  Fiesta carnival for less than two weeks,

Johnson faces multiple charges in Barnstable District Court on Friday on the outstanding warrants and failing to register as a sex offender.