Yesterday, near Georgetown, it turned tense when a 49-year-old man serving time at a state-run fire camp walked away from Growlersburg Conservation Camp, sparking a search by state correctional agents and local law enforcement.
Staff discovered he was missing during a routine head count at about 8 PM and immediately launched emergency procedures. With the search still active, officials asked neighbors and drivers on nearby roads to remain alert.
State officials identified the missing person as Juan David Veramancini, 49, and released a physical description and details on what he was last seen wearing, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Veramancini is described as 5-foot-5 and 152 pounds with brown eyes. He was last seen in an orange beanie and orange jacket and may be wearing orange pants or gray sweatpants with white tennis shoes or black boots.
He is serving a 10-year sentence for first-degree burglary and was received into state custody from Orange County on July 1, 2024, the agency said.
Where Growlersburg Sits And What Crews Do
Growlersburg Conservation Camp is an 80-acre facility that trains low-level, non-violent offenders to serve on hand crews that support wildfire response and community projects. It sits roughly 1.5 miles west of Georgetown along Reservoir Road, The Sacramento Bee reports.
The camp, which opened in 1967, operates year-round, with crews often dispatched for fire and flood response as well as other community-related work.
How Often Walk-Aways Are Resolved
State officials say walkaways like this are relatively rare and usually do not last long. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation notes that since 1977, about 99 percent of people who have left camps or other in-state programs without permission have been apprehended.
Growlersburg itself has seen similar incidents end quickly. In May 2025, an inmate who walked away from the camp was taken back into custody within hours, according to a CDCR news release.
What Officials Are Asking The Public
Authorities are urging anyone who sees Veramancini or has information about his whereabouts to call 911 or any law enforcement agency, or to contact Special Agent Tim Keeney at 916-210-9159, per The Sacramento Bee.
Officials stressed that members of the public should not approach him if they encounter him, and instead should immediately alert authorities so trained personnel can respond.
Legal Outlook
Walking away from a supervised conservation camp can carry additional criminal exposure. Past cases at California fire camps have been referred to local district attorneys for possible escape charges, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Authorities typically focus first on finding the missing person and protecting public safety, then determine later whether to pursue new charges.
