Francisco Noriega-Verdugo, known to some as Poncho, was 47 when he was last seen in Tucson on February 27, 2004. He is a Hispanic male, 5 feet 6 inches, about 125 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes and a noticeable scar on his forehead. Before he disappeared he often spent time in desert areas near Drexel Road and Nogales Highway, where he drank with friends.

No word came from Francisco for months; his family did not report him missing to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department until September 2004, seven months after his last sighting. The long delay and the wide, open desert he frequented left investigators with few fresh leads, and the case has remained open but unsolved.

Does anyone who knew Francisco or who spent time around Drexel Road and Nogales Highway in early 2004 have information that could help locate him?