A California-based professional rock climber, Charles Barrett, has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal sexual assault of a woman in Yosemite National Park. The 40-year-old climber was found guilty in February of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact, according to U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.

In August 2016, while residing and working in the national park, Barrett sexually assaulted a woman three times over a weekend. Court records and trial evidence confirmed these assaults. Additionally, three other women testified that Barrett had also assaulted them, providing further damning evidence. A video from YouTube allegedly shows a climb that Barrett completed in Yosemite 13 years ago. It's slightly sinister to watch, knowing his alleged actions in the area:

Despite the assaults occurring outside federal jurisdiction, the testimonies of these women were crucial in securing Barrett’s conviction. The Mono County Sheriff's Office stated that these accounts were integral to the charges he faced.

U.S. Attorney Talbert emphasized Barrett's long history of sexual violence, stating, "He used his status as a prominent climber to assault women in the rock-climbing community, and when his victims began to tell, Barrett responded by lashing out publicly with threats and intimidation. This case is a testament to the courage of the victims who reported these crimes."

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Court documents also highlighted Barrett’s ongoing intimidation tactics against the women he assaulted. In one instance, seven years after an assault, Barrett harassed a victim at her rock-climbing gym. Despite the gym owner's attempts to protect her, Barrett continued to threaten her for years.

Barrett's behavior did not change after his 2022 arrest. Prosecutors revealed that he made hundreds of phone calls showing no remorse. Instead, he threatened violence and lawsuits against his victims, accusing them of conspiring to ruin his life.

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