The FBI is searching for a California firefighter who was presumed drowned in 2023 after being charged with possessing child pornography, saying investigators now believe the circumstances surrounding his disappearance warrant further scrutiny.

Charles Johnathen Harris, 46, was reportedly killed in a boating accident in Suisun Bay, northeast of San Francisco, on April 4, 2023. More than three years later, the FBI’s San Francisco division said the circumstances of his reported death have raised questions, including the possibility that Harris staged his disappearance.

The FBI is now seeking Harris on a federal arrest warrant issued April 21, 2023, after he allegedly failed to appear in court. The agency did not publicly detail the evidence that prompted investigators to question whether the reported drowning actually resulted in his death.

Before his disappearance, Harris had been indicted by a federal grand jury on March 2, 2023, on a charge of possessing child pornography. At the time, he was living in Coulterville, California, and working for the Alameda County Fire Department.

According to federal prosecutors, the investigation began after authorities received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators allegedly determined that Harris had uploaded child pornography through the messaging platform Kik, including while he was at Alameda County fire stations.

Harris surrendered to federal authorities following the indictment and was released on bond. His release included restrictions on his internet access while he awaited further court proceedings.

His failure to appear ultimately resulted in the federal arrest warrant, but the FBI's latest notice adds another layer to the case by questioning whether Harris actually died in the 2023 boating incident.

The FBI describes Harris as a white male with red hair and blue eyes who is approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 220 pounds. Investigators said he has light burn scars on his hands and has used the names Chuck Harris and Charlie Harris.

The FBI has not publicly established that Harris survived the reported drowning, and the agency has not disclosed the specific evidence behind its suspicion that his death may have been staged. The case remains under investigation.