U.S. Marshals are ramping up efforts to find the Mississippi man they believe faked his own death to avoid charges he raped and impregnated his teenage stepdaughter.

The (Biloxi) Sun Herald newspaper is reporting that U.S. Marshals are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Jacob Blair Scott.

Scott, a U.S. Army veteran, is accused of faking his death off the Alabama coast to avoid charges in Mississippi, where he is accused of raping and impregnating his 14-year-old stepdaughter.

Orange Beach, Alabama, police found an abandoned dingy belonging to 42-year-old Scott just offshore last summer.

Inside it was a note with Scott’s social security number that said “I’m sorry” and a handgun tied to a rope.

Authorities searched unsuccessfully for Scott and said it was strange there wasn’t any forensic evidence of a suicide.

Scott had withdrawn $45,000 from his retirement account and disappeared days before he was set to plead guilty to charges related to the attack on his now ex-stepdaughter.

DNA evidence confirmed he is the father.

Marshals ask anyone with information about Scott’s whereabouts to call 202-307-9100 or log on to www.usmarshals.gov to leave a tip.