A fugitive sex offender believed to be living in Dayton will soon appear on “America’s Most Wanted,” but law enforcement officials are increasing awareness of the need to find him now.

U.S. Marshals in other states are joining the search, officials said.

Shawn Dwayne Wood, 31, is required to register his residence with law enforcement once per year because of a 1997 conviction for kidnapping, rape and attempted rape.

He last claimed to be homeless and living in the area of Wyoming Street, but has not been located there.

Wood has a prior conviction for failing to register his address. A warrant was issued for his arrest in January.

Wood has relatives in the Dayton area as well as in other states, according to the Marshals office.

Wood is described as black, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 154 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his left calf that reads “Jerilynne’s Boy.”

According to the attorney general’s sex offender website, he also has a tattoo on his neck.

Because of Wood’s violent criminal history, he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information concerning Wood should call the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at (937) 225-4357.