A BASE jumper who missed his January court date to hear charges in connection with jumping from a Walnut Grove television tower last October has surrendered to authorities.
The arraignment for John Agnos, 41, was scheduled for January 13. He is charged with trespassing following the failed October 27 attempt to jump from the transmitter tower shared by several television stations, including News10.
The Hayward man said he was not aware an arrest warrant had been posted for his failure to appear in court. He told a reporter he thought the case had been dropped.
Agnos jumped from the tower and successfully deployed his parachute, but became entangled in the guy wires that support the structure. Stranded nearly 200 feet above ground. Agnos used his cell phone to call 911.
Fire crews from the Sacramento, Elk Grove and Walnut Grove fire departments responded to the scene. After considering several options, rescue specialist John Clark of the Sacramento Fire Department climbed the nearly vertical guy wire to reached Agnos. Clark secured a line to the guy wire, cut the parachute free, and lowered Agnos to the ground. His ordeal lasted nearly five hours.
Agnos was transported to the U.C. Davis Medical Center, but he was not seriously injured in the incident.
It is believed Agnos was engaging in a daredevil form of parachuting known as BASE jumping, in which the participant leaps from a tall structure or natural formation. BASE stands for buildings, antennae, spans, and earth.
The new arraignment date for Agnos is March 3 in Sacramento Superior Court.
Agnos could be liable for more than $20,000 in restitution for the cost of rescuing him, as well as a fine and six months in jail, if convicted.
You must log in to post a comment.