San Diego police are entering the search for a swimmer reported missing off the coast of La Jolla over the weekend after discovering that he's facing more than 60 years in prison.
Jim Repetto, a 53-year-old man from Sandwich, Mass., was reported missing at about 6 p.m. Saturday after being over an hour overdue when attempting to swim from the Scripps Pier to the La Jolla shores lifeguard tower.
The 53-year-old was in San Diego on business, according to his wife. Police say he was having lunch with a friend in La Jolla on Saturday. The last time she saw him, he was heading into the water.
Repetto was wearing a wetsuit and was swimming alone.
In response, the Coast Guard dispatched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, a 33-foot response boat and Coast Guard Cutter Haddock -- an 87-foot patrol boat -- to assist in the search.
San Diego Lifeguards and the Fire-Rescue Department also searched Saturday night but suspended the search Sunday.
The Los Angeles Times says the case was turned over to the missing persons bureau of the San Diego Police Department after investigators discovered his background.
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Federal prosecutors in Boston contend that Repetto was involved in a $1-million phony billing scheme at the Ocean Spray Cranberries plant where he was manager. He's charged with crimes that include fraud and attempting to intimidate a witness.
Repetto is facing more than 60 years in prison. He was supposed to be sentenced in January, but his sentencing was postponed due to a car fire.
Anyone with information that could assist the effort is asked to contact the Joint Harbor Operation Center at (619) 278-7031.
