A Yosemite National Park worker has been charged with aggravated sexual abuse, accused of raping and strangling a park employee on May 31, according to federal prosecutors.
Nathan Baptista, 36, was charged Thursday in federal court in Fresno. said the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Both Baptista and the woman worked for a company that operates the park's hospitality services. The rape occurred the night the woman met Baptista, prosecutors said.
According to the Fresno beeThe woman told investigators that Baptista punched and choked her repeatedly during the rape while 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.
