A Mississippi teenage girl, reported missing earlier this month, has been safely recovered in Smith County with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The recovery was part of a coordinated effort between the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and federal authorities.

Sheriff Joel Houston announced that the 14-year-old girl, who was reported missing by her family on August 4, was located at a residence in Smith County. The investigation, initially spearheaded by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, suggested that the girl had crossed state lines after meeting an individual online, prompting the involvement of the FBI.

Working closely with federal agents, Smith County deputies successfully located the missing teenager and swiftly took action to ensure her safety. Shortly after her recovery, law enforcement officers arrested 29-year-old Julio Cesar De la Cruz Ordonez at the scene. Ordonez is facing charges of statutory rape and is currently being held at the Smith County Jail on a $150,000 bond, set by Justice Court Judge Easterling.

The young girl has since been reunited with her family. Sheriff Houston noted that the case will now proceed to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, and the involvement of multiple local and federal agencies, no further details are being released at this time.

This incident underscores the dangers of online interactions and the critical role of interagency cooperation in resolving such cases quickly and effectively.