Published: September 23, 2008 04:26 pm      

Authorities seeking local attorney

DUNCAN — A Duncan attorney who was charged in Stephens County District Court with one felony count of embezzlement on Sept. 8, 2008, is missing.

Assistant District Attorney Dennis Gay said that a warrant has not been filed against Charles Lynn Barnes, 57, because he hasn't missed his next court date, which is set for Oct. 7.

"He's just missing," Gay said.

Jessica Brown, public information director for Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), said that after the original charge was filed against Barnes for allegedly embezzling about $148,000, more people approached OSBI regarding additional embezzlement allegations.

She said OSBI needs to question Barnes about these new allegations, but has not been able to locate him since Thursday, when he was supposed to be at his Lake Texoma home working.

According to a press release from OSBI's Web site, OSBI served search warrants on Barnes' home and office Thursday, after which they went to his Lake Texoma home. He wasn't at any of those locations.

According to the press release, OSBI agents then flew over the Alberta Creek area of Lake Texoma Thursday night, searching for Barnes.

The next morning, the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, which covers Lake Texoma, sent out search-and-rescue teams to scour the area. Officials found signs that Barnes had been in the area, according to the press release.

Anyone who has seen Barnes recently is asked to call OSBI at 1-800-522-8017 or the Marshall County Sheriff's Office at 580-795-2221.