Former Park Employee Charged in Yosemite National Park Rape

FRESNO, Calif. - A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Nathan Baptista, 36, charging him with aggravated sexual abuse, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on May 31, 2024, Baptista forcibly raped and strangled a female park employee after meeting her that night.

This case is the product of an investigation by the National Park Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arin C. Heinz is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Baptista faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.