Kentucky man wanted on child sexual abuse charges arrested in Alabama

FLEMINGSBURG, Ky. – A Kentucky man, wanted on child sexual abuse charges, was arrested in Alabama this month.

According to a release, the Kentucky State Police was contacted by the Fleming County Sheriff’s Department to assist in a child sexual abuse investigation on November 7, 2023.

KSP responded to a home in Flemingsburg and interviewed three juvenile victims, who told detectives they had been sexually abused.

The release states that an arrest warrant was obtained on November 11, 2023, for 47-year-old James Monroe Barnes, of Fleming, charging him with 120 counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 12.

KSP says Barnes fled Kentucky after the warrant was issued.

On January 14, 2026, Kentucky State Police referred the United States Marshals Service (USMS) – Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force (CKFTF) to assist in the arrest of Barnes, according to the release. A fugitive investigation was launched on the same day.

During the investigation, information was obtained that led law enforcement to believe Barnes was living in Alabama.

USMS CKFTF sent a lead to USMS Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force (GCRFTF) – Tuscaloosa Office.

The release states that USMS GCRFTF located Barnes on January 21, 2026 in Nauvoo, Alabama.

Barnes was arrested without incident and transported to the Walker County Detention Center in Jasper, Alabama, where he awaits extradition.

The investigation is ongoing.