A level-two registered predatory offender pleaded not guilty Thursday in Mower County court to knowingly violating his registration requirements.

John Wesley Dillard, 38, is scheduled for a Feb. 26 pre-trial hearing on the felony-level charge.

He was last living at 904 13th Ave. NE, but his parole officer and a roommate lost contact with him during a few days in August, according to a court complaint.

The next day, Sheriff Terese Amazi was notified that Dillard had “absconded from probation.” His residence was checked but Dillard was not located.

The roommate said he had last seen Dillard on the night of Aug. 24 when Dillard left with a load of clothes, saying he was going to do laundry.

According to the Minnesota Department of Corrections, a level two indicates a moderate likelihood to re-offend. Predatory offenders are ranked from level one to level three.