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American Climber Arrested for Sexual Assaults in Yosemite

The climber faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine

The U.S. department of justice released a statement on August 30 that an American rock climber and author of several bouldering guidebooks has been arrested.

U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced that a three-count indictment was unsealed today following the arrest of Charles Barrett, 38, who is charged with aggravated sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact.

In 2016, the statement reads, Barrett forcibly committed sexual assault on two occasions and committed abusive sexual contact on a third. All three alleged crimes took place within Yosemite National Park.

The statement goes on to say that if convicted, “Barrett 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.”

The U.S. attorney’s office requested that anyone with further information about the case or any victims call their tip line at 1-888-653-0009 or email nps_isb@nps.gov. Barrett is the author of Bishop Bouldering, Tuolumne Meadows Bouldering, and Mammoth Bouldering.

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