'Armed And Dangerous' Sex Offender May Be In Northern Calif.

REDDING, CA — Police in Texas and California are asking for the public’s help finding a convicted sex offender on the run. Police are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of 43-year-old Shawn Monroe Cowan, who may be in Redding or Northern California.

According to police, an “anonymous but credible tipster” said Cowan is likely somewhere in the Northern California area. Believed to be armed and dangerous, he also goes by the names Sean Cowan and Shawn Cowna. Officials said he has tattoos on his chest, left calf, upper arms, shoulders and thighs.

Cowan is one of the ten most wanted sex offenders in Texas and has been unaccounted for since June of 2017. He is wanted for a parole violation and failure to register as a sex offender in Beaumont, Texas. In 2011, Cowan was convicted of indecency with a child/sexual contact after an incident in Walker County, according to Texas authorities. His victim was 9 years old.

Anyone with information about Cowan is asked to call the Redding Police Department at (530) 225-4200 or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). Submit a tip online.

Photo courtesy of Texas Department of Public Safety