Juan Mendoza Gomez, 45, was deported to Agua Prieta, Sonora, and placed a final call to his family around January 30, 2012, saying he planned to cross back into the United States the next day. Family members sent him money, which he received, and that call was the last confirmed contact.

Accounts about what happened next are conflicting. A companion named Leonardo later told the family they attempted the crossing at Douglas, Arizona, and that Border Patrol intercepted the group. Leonardo said he was deported but that Juan was detained by authorities. Investigators and the family have been unable to confirm any official custody record for Juan after that incident. Juan is described as a Hispanic male with black, shoulder-length straight hair, brown eyes and a chest tattoo of Bruce Lee’s torso. The Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office is handling the investigation into his disappearance.

If anyone saw Juan around Agua Prieta or Douglas in late January 2012, or has information about the crossing Leonardo described, please come forward.