A search is underway for a child sex abuse suspect who authorities say fled before his trial was to begin.

Johoan Trejo, 34, was arrested in June 2021 on a charge of first-degree sex abuse of a child under the age of 12 and indicted on the same charge a month later.

The warrant and indictment were issued out of Blount County.

Jury selection in Trejo’s trial was to begin on Monday, said District Attorney Pamela Casey, but Trejo failed to show.

Trejo also has charges pending in DeKalb County, also for sex abuse of a child under the age of 12.

He is a Hispanic male, 5-feet, 7-inches tall and weighs 160 pounds.

U.S. Marshals are assisting in the search.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the district attorney’s office at 205-625-4171.