By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A federal task force was able to rescue a girl last week in Phoenix who had been reported missing nearly four months ago.
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U.S. Marshals Service Arizona WANTED Task Force members made the recovery on July 9 after an investigation that was triggered by an anonymous community tip.
“This recovery is another reminder that anonymous tips, strong partnerships, and determined investigators save lives,” said U.S. Marshal Van Bayless for the District of Arizona. “Our deputies exercised patience, sound judgment, and restraint to safely recover this endangered child despite rapidly evolving circumstances. We remain committed to locating vulnerable children, protecting them from exploitation, and working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure they receive the care and support they need.”
The child, identified as an at-risk youth, was reported missing in March. On July 9, Task Force members were given a tip about where the girl was and worked with the Phoenix Police Department to verify it.
Investigators then used surveillance tactics to identify the missing girl near a home with several men. Surveillance was maintained to ensure the girl’s safety as a rescue plan was made.
Later in the evening, the girl walked away from the home, which gave deputies a chance to move in.
As deputies went inside the home, one of the men, Miguel Mendez-Vargas, reportedly ran toward a deputy marshal, interfering with the ability to recover the child.
Mendez-Vargas allegedly did not comply with commands to get on the ground and swung at deputies as they tried to take him into custody. That led to a deputy using his Taser, while three others restrained Mendez-Vargas. He also allegedly spit on deputies when he was in custody.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents responded and found that two of the men, Mendez-Vargas and Jose Mendez-Bello, were unlawfully in the country. Both men were taken into ICE custody on federal immigration violations.
Mendez-Vargas faces two additional charges related to assaulting the federal officers. The FBI is investigating these reported assaults.
The Marshals Service said the girl may have been sexually assaulted while she was missing. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating whether sex crimes occurred involving the young girl. More charges may be filed after this investigation.
With the help of the Phoenix Police, the girl was recovered and taken into the department’s care.
Earlier this year, a U.S. Marshals operation found and rescued 31 missing and exploited children across Arizona.
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