Brief
California firefighter charged with child porn may have staged his 2023 death
Federal authorities say the firefighter's 2023 drowning in Suisun Bay warrants further scrutiny.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The FBI announced on Tuesday that the 2023 drowning of California firefighter Charles Johnathen Harris, who faces child‑pornography charges, may have been staged. Harris, 46, was found dead in Suisun Bay on April 4, 2023, a month after his indictment for possession of child pornography in March 2023. Federal officials said the circumstances surrounding his death "warrant further scrutiny, including the possibility that his death was staged," but provided no additional details.
Harris was charged with failing to appear at a court hearing, prompting a federal arrest warrant on April 21, 2023. He remains on the FBI’s Most Wanted list and is listed under the aliases "Chuck Harris" and "Charlie Harris." The bureau described him as 5 ft 10 in tall, 220 lb, with red hair and blue eyes.
Prosecutors began investigating after a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, uncovering alleged uploads of illegal material on the Kik platform, even while Harris was on duty. Authorities are asking the public to contact local FBI offices with any information about his whereabouts.
Key facts
- Charles Johnathen Harris was found dead in Suisun Bay on April 4, 2023. (independent.co.uk)
- He faces federal child‑pornography charges filed in March 2023. (independent.co.uk)
- The FBI said his death may have been staged and warrants further scrutiny. (independent.co.uk)
- A federal arrest warrant was issued for Harris on April 21, 2023, for failing to appear in court. (independent.co.uk)
- Harris is on the FBI’s Most Wanted list and uses the aliases "Chuck Harris" and "Charlie Harris." (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Firefighter charged in child porn case may have faked his death: cops”
