Sheriff warns about high-risk sex offender living in Linda

A high-risk sex offender has been released from prison and is staying at hotels in the Linda area, Yuba County Sheriff Steve Durfor warned today.

James Barrie is a registered sex offender whose previous convictions include rape by force, burglary and prowling. His targets were adult women, Durfor said.

"The nature of his previous offenses is considered serious enough for a public announcement," he said.

Barrie, 49, has a shaved head and blue eyes. He is about 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds. His tattoos include the Norse god Oden with wolves on his back, Celtic knots on his chest, a skull with sword on his left arm and Thor's hammer on his right arm.

Durfor cautioned the public that using official warnings "to threaten, intimidate or harass" sex offenders will not be tolerated and could result in prosecution.