UPDATE: Case of missing Vanceburg man called “criminal”

VANCEBURG, Ky. (WTVQ) – The case of a missing Vanceburg man is now being called “criminal” and has been turned over the Lewis County sheriff, according to Lewis County Emergency Management.

The search for 28-year old Justin Johnson has also been called-off, according to authorities. It will resume if new information or evidence surfaces in the case, according to investigators.

Johnson was last seen at his home on Town Branch Road in Vanceburg on March 23, 2017, according to investigators.

Johnson’s pickup truck was found on Lower Twin Branch off McDowell Creek Road, south of Garrison, around 7:30 a.m. on March 24, according to the sheriff.

Concerned family members contacted the sheriff on March 24 after Johnson didn’t return home the night before as promised.

Search dog teams scoured the immediate area over the weekend. Teams returned Monday, March 27, and expanded the area of concentration using information collected from Johnson’s cell phone records, according to investigators.

Volunteers also searched the area on foot and on horseback, but weren’t able to collect any information that indicated Johnson had been there.

Lewis County Sheriff Johnny Bivens says he hopes to have a helicopter in the air on Tuesday to survey the scene and surrounding area.

Sheriff Bivens says he and his deputies have been questioning Johnson’s friends and acquaintances and collecting as much information as they can in an effort to find out what happened to Johnson.

Johnson is 6’2″ tall, 145-pounds with a slender build. He has short brown hair and hadn’t shaved for a few days, according to authorities.

He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, light blue jeans, dark brown work boots, a camo cap and had a black jacket with him, according to investigators.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office at 606-796-2912. Callers can remain anonymous and all information will be treated confidentially, according to the sheriff.