For 2 days, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Workplace performed a seek for a person who was reported as an “in danger lacking particular person” close to Yosemite Nationwide Park.
The search included helicopters, an off-highway automobile unit and regulation enforcement search and rescue, in response to a sheriff’s workplace information launch.
The lacking man, Nathan Baptista, was final seen on June 27 when he instructed relations he was going to journey his grime bike “close to a mine and a tower” however supplied no further particulars, in response to a sheriff’s workplace social media publish.
Search groups coated greater than 500 miles of rugged terrain earlier than the sheriff’s workplace investigations unit uncovered that Nathan Baptista had an lively federal warrant out for his arrest, tied to an aggravated sexual abuse cost.
Baptista, 38, who weighs round 165 kilos and is 5’9”, allegedly violated his probation in reference to the cost, officers stated. He was driving a white Chevrolet S10 pickup truck with California license plate 7B48533. Anybody with extra data has been requested to contact authorities.
“As of now we now really feel assured that this case has shifted from an ‘At Danger Lacking Individual’ to an absconding fugitive from federal regulation enforcement who’s not in Mariposa County,” in response to the sheriff’s workplace information launch. “Surveillance footage has confirmed that his truck and grime bike have been seen within the Fresno space.”
Baptista was charged final yr with aggravated sexual abuse after he was accused of raping and strangling a feminine park worker, in response to federal prosecutors.
Each Baptista and the lady labored for a corporation that operates the park’s hospitality providers. The alleged rape occurred the night time the lady met Baptista, prosecutors stated.
Baptista is awaiting trial, and it’s not clear if he’s presently out on bail.