July 28, 2020 - The Mariposa County Sheriff's Office reports on Thursday, July 23, 2020 deputies responded to the 5000 block of Alta Vista Rd. for reports of a vegetation fire with structures involved as well as a male subject acting violently. Deputies contacted Charles Leslie, 52, of Mariposa. Charles Leslie had started the fire on his property on purpose and was upset that CAL FIRE was attempting to control and contain the fire. Mr. Leslie was making death threats to the CAL FIRE firefighters and threated multiple times to shoot anyone trying to make contact with him with a .30-30 rifle. Mr. Leslie was shouting numerous times that he was a killer or that he would kill anyone making an attempt to suppress the fire.

For the safety of CAL FIRE firefighters, they were relocated to a safe area where they were still able to monitor the fire and weather situation without endangering their staff.

An autistic minor child was also inside the house with Charles Leslie. The Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT) responded to the area and could see Mr. Leslie drinking multiple bottles of alcohol and heard him screaming belligerent and degrading statements at the minor child. Charles Leslie also continued yelling violent threats like “I will kill you” and “You are going to die tonight”, over and over towards deputies.

The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office Negotiation Team began contacting Mr. Leslie via phone, attempting various times to get him to come out peacefully and allow firefighting measures to continue. Mr. Leslie also would not allow the minor child to leave the home.

Approximately two hours after arriving on scene, the minor child exited the house and deputies were able to take him to safety. He was eventually turned over to his mother who was waiting for him at the Sheriff’s Headquarters

After three hours the SRT unit, additional Mariposa County Patrol Deputies and K9 Niko made entry into the house. Charles Leslie was located in the upstairs portion of the home where he continued to scream at the SRT unit and not comply with demands. K9 Niko was deployed and after a brief struggle Charles Leslie was taken into custody. He was transported to John C. Fremont Hospital for medical clearance prior to being booked into the Mariposa County Adult Detention Facility.

Charles Leslie is currently being held on $500,000 bail on the following penal code charges:

451(B)- Felony Arson on a structure

273(A)- Felony Child Endangerment

454(A)(2)- Felony Violation of Arson Code During a State of Emergency

451(C)- Felony Arson on Land

415(1)- Misdemeanor Fight

69- Felony Resisting Arrest
Source: Mariposa County Sheriff's Office