FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against Nathan Baptista, 36, charging him with aggravated sexual abuse.
Now, he’s on the run, according to the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department.
According to court documents, on May 31, 2024, Baptista forcibly raped and strangled a fellow Yosemite Hospitality employee.
Baptista had an active federal warrant issued by the U.S. Marshals Office for violating probation in connection with the sexual assault charge.
He is believed to be driving a white Chevrolet S10 pickup truck, California license plate 7B48533.
In a Facebook post the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office said: “We conducted an extensive missing person’s search, including ground teams from our Law Enforcement Search and Rescue Unit, multiple Helicopter Support, and the Off Highway Vehicle Unit. Ground search teams covered over 500 miles of rugged and remote terrain in an effort to locate Nathan who was reported to our office to be an “At Risk Missing Person”. Simultaneously we had our Investigations Unit working other leads. Through that investigation it was learned that Nathan had current pending federal charges. As of now we now feel confident that this case has shifted from an “At Risk Missing Person” to an absconding fugitive from federal law enforcement who is no longer in Mariposa County. Surveillance footage has confirmed that his truck and dirt bike were seen in the Fresno area.”
If convicted, Baptista faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
