Charles Barrett, a 40-year-old rock climber convicted of sexual abuse, was sentenced to life in jail Tuesday.
The longtime Yosemite climber had been convicted of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one depend of abusive sexual contact, in accordance with a information launch. All three incidents occurred at Yosemite Nationwide Park in 2016, stated U.S. Lawyer Phillip A. Talbert.
“Barrett’s lengthy historical past of sexual violence helps the imposition of a life sentence,” Talbert stated within the information launch. “He used his standing as a distinguished climber to assault girls within the rock-climbing neighborhood, and when his victims started to inform, Barrett responded by lashing out publicly with threats and intimidation. This case is a testomony to the braveness of the victims who reported these crimes.”
Barrett dedicated the crimes in August 2016, when the sufferer was visiting Yosemite for a weekend of mountaineering, in accordance with court docket paperwork. Barrett, who was residing and dealing for a personal enterprise within the park, sexually assaulted her 3 times over the course of the weekend.
In the course of the trial, three different girls testified that Barrett additionally sexually assaulted them, Talbert stated Tuesday. These assaults weren’t included within the costs in opposition to Barrett as a result of they occurred outdoors federal jurisdiction. Nevertheless, they had been allowed as extra proof within the trial.
“It’s time to put a definitive finish to Barrett’s reign of terror,” one in all his victims stated, in accordance with The Sacramento Bee.
A Lack of Regret
It wasn’t till a number of years after that 2016 weekend that costs had been filed in opposition to Barrett.
In 2017, he “purposely” climbed on the similar gymnasium as a sufferer he had assaulted in 2000, prosecutors stated. That girl disclosed Barrett’s assault on her to the gymnasium proprietor, which resulted in Barrett harassing and threatening her for a number of years. In August 2022, he was convicted for the legal threats he made in January 2022.
That very same month, federal prosecutors charged him with sexual abuse, resulting in a 2-year trial that ended as we speak with life in jail for Barrett.
Whereas in custody for this case, Barrett made a whole bunch of cellphone calls, prosecutors stated. Throughout these calls, he confirmed “no regret or remorse,” Talbert stated within the information launch. As an alternative, Barrett threatened to make use of violence and lawsuits in opposition to the victims, claiming they created a conspiracy to damage his life.
This case was the results of an investigation by the Nationwide Park Service.
“We’re grateful for the tireless work of the Nationwide Park Service investigative group and the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace to convey this case to justice,” Yosemite Nationwide Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon stated. “At present’s sentencing sends a transparent message in regards to the penalties of this legal conduct. It makes Yosemite a safer place for the climbing neighborhood, park guests and our workers.”
Barrett’s sentencing comes days after The New York Occasions reported on accusations of sexual assault by Nims Purja, one of many world’s most well-known mountaineers. The story included different notable examples of sexual misconduct in climbing — together with Barrett.