By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A man who violently resisted U.S. Marshals during the rescue of a missing girl in Phoenix now faces nine counts of child sex crimes, federal authorities said Thursday.
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The investigation that followed the rescue uncovered evidence of child sex crimes involving Miguel Mendez-Vargas, investigators said.
A Maricopa County grand jury indicted him on six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and three counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
The U.S. Marshals Service said Mendez-Vargas may face federal charges since he is in the U.S. illegally.
How authorities found her
U.S. Marshals rescued the girl on July 9 after an anonymous tip from the community set the investigation in motion.
Deputy marshals worked with the Phoenix police to verify the tip, then used surveillance to track down the girl near a home. Several men were there. The U.S. Marshals kept watch to make sure she was safe while they put together a rescue plan.
Their opportunity came later that evening when the girl walked away from the home, according to the Marshals Service. That’s when deputy marshals moved in.
As they entered the home, Mendez-Vargas allegedly charged at a deputy marshal, ignored commands, and tried to punch law enforcement officers as they tried to arrest him. A stun gun was used on Mendez-Vargas and he was placed into handcuffs before he spat on deputy marshals.
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The girl was safely recovered and turned over to the Phoenix Police Department for care and follow-up.
Mendez-Vargas pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to assaulting a U.S. Marshal and was sentenced to 31 days behind bars.
After completing his federal sentence, he will be transferred to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to face those additional charges.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents determined that Mendez-Vargas and a second man arrested during the operation, Jose Mendez-Bello, were in the country illegally.
Both were taken into ICE custody on federal immigration violations. It is unclear what charges, if any, Mendez-Bello may face.
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