California firefighter added to FBI Most Wanted list after allegedly faking drowning death to dodge child porn charges

From the Newshound archive · first published 30 September 2026 · last updated 1 October 2026.

Charles Johnathen Harris, 46, disappeared just 15 days before a scheduled court hearing on child sexual abuse material charges, after reportedly drowning in a boating accident in Suisun Bay in April 2023. The FBI now says circumstances surrounding his death warrant further scrutiny, including the possibility it was staged. Harris worked as a firefighter paramedic for the Alameda County Fire Department and was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond before vanishing.

Harris has light burn scars on his hands and has used the aliases 'Chuck Harris' and 'Charlie Harris'.

He was married with a child and had three siblings, and lived in Greeley Hill in Mariposa County before his disappearance.

Anyone found to be sheltering or assisting Harris could face a federal felony charge carrying up to five years in prison, authorities warn.