The FBI has added a former California firefighter to its Most Wanted list after federal authorities concluded he likely staged his own drowning death to escape child pornography charges.
Charles Johnathen Harris, 46, of Modesto, California, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 2, 2023, for possession of child pornography. He was 42 at the time. Prosecutors alleged he possessed images of child pornography on his iPhone, including images of prepubescent children.
Harris faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The court issued a federal arrest warrant for him on April 21, 2023, after he failed to appear in court.
Just over a month after his indictment, Harris allegedly drowned in a boating accident in Suisun Bay, California, on April 4, 2023. That apparent death went largely unquestioned for three years until federal authorities announced Tuesday that they now believe Harris faked the incident and may still be alive.
Legal analyst Steven Clark said Bay Area that the case may be resurfacing due to possible sightings of the suspect. He noted that staying under the radar is “very difficult now.”
The investigation into Harris began after federal authorities received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip revealed he was allegedly uploading child pornography on the social platform Kik. These uploads allegedly occurred while he was working at fire stations in Alameda County, where he served as a firefighter.
Harris was initially released on bond with the condition that his internet access would be restricted, prosecutors said. He never made it to court, and the warrant for failure to appear followed weeks after his supposed drowning.
Investigators now want to examine Harris’ death more closely as they pursue the theory that the entire boating accident was staged. The FBI is requesting that anyone with information contact their local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip on the FBI’s website.
Harris is believed to also use the aliases Chuck Harris or Charlie Harris, according to investigators. Alameda County Fire officials said Bay Area they have no updates on their former employee.
The FBI’s decision to place Harris on its Most Wanted list represents a dramatic escalation in a case that appeared closed with a watery grave in Suisun Bay.