A Vernal man who was an ex-employee of a youth camp in Texas was arrested on June 20th outside the camp after making threats. According to Livingston Police Department in Texas, local agencies worked together to stop a threat to children and staff at Camp Cho-Yeh that was made by Mario Bernal of Vernal, Utah. “Livingston Police Department was made aware of an investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office concerning threats made towards Camp Cho-Yeh by an ex employee,” shares the announcement. “Sheriff’s Office investigators secured an arrest warrant for the male, who was identified as 23-year-old Mario Bernal, while units from both agencies began staging in the area surrounding Camp Cho-Yeh. Shortly after noon, an LPD officer spotted the suspect vehicle near the camp entrance. Officers stopped the vehicle and took Bernal into custody without incident. He was then transported to the Polk County Jail.” The police assured the local community that they would proactively patrol in and near Camp Cho-Yeh during the investigation. The day after Mario Bernal was arrested in Texas, an arrest warrant was issued for him in Uintah County on sexual abuse charges. Bernal had been arrested in Uintah County in April on a sexual assault that allegedly occurred on March 29th. According to the arrest affidavit, Bernal admitted to “getting physically touchy with the victim in a way that was inappropriate.” On the same day as his arrest, Bernal’s release was ordered by the 8th District Court Judge due to an error with the probable cause statement. It was not legally permissible for the judge to keep Bernal incarcerated. Once released, Bernal moved to Texas where he remains in custody due to Bernal’s threats against the youth at Camp Cho-Yeh.
