The Polk County Sheriff's Office has extradited a man from Guatemala who allegedly sexually battered and impregnated a Polk County girl.
Polk County detectives worked with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice to return Rony Mendez, 25, to Florida for prosecution.
In November 2014, Mendez, 23 at the time, had warrants out for his arrest, charging him with three counts of sexual battery on a minor under 12-years-old, one count of lewd molestation. Mendez reportedly sexually molested and got a minor pregnant. He then fled to Guatemala in November 2014 but has since been extradited back to Polk County on the active warrants.
Mendez arrived in Tampa on Monday, August 29, 2016 and was booked into the Polk County Jail.
Mendez made his first appearance at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
Police say the victim, now two years older than when the incident occurred, gave birth to a baby fathered by the suspect in May of 2015.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox.