A Yosemite National Park employee has been charged with aggravated sexual abuse, accused of raping and strangling a female park employee on May 31, according to federal prosecutors.
Nathan Baptista, 36, was charged Thursday in federal court in Fresno. the U.S. Attorney’s Office said for the Eastern District of California. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Baptista and the woman worked for a company that manages the park’s reception services. The rape occurred the night the woman met Baptista, prosecutors said.
According to the Fresno BeeThe woman told investigators that Baptista hit and choked her several times during the rape as she tried to stop him.
The woman had bruises and other injuries to her body and face, which were documented during an examination at the Yosemite Medical Clinic, according to the criminal complaint.
California Daily Newspapers
