FRESNO  -   A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Dallas Fonseca, 43, of Visalia, charging him with felony theft in Kings Canyon National Park, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, between Feb. 9, and March 11, Fonseca, who worked in the park’s John Muir Lodge, is alleged to have stolen a Rolex and other jewelry belonging to another person with an estimated value of over $16,000.

This case is the product of an investigation by the National Park Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McKeon and Joseph Barton are prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Fonseca faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The charges are only allegations. Fonseca is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.