A man wanted for multiple sex crimes against children was located in China and returned to the United States. Detectives believe there may be additional victims.
In June 2016, detectives with the Washington County Sheriff's Office began investigating reports that Toby A. Mendenhall, now 41, was sexually abusing multiple children in Washington County.
A Washington County arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Mendenhall on December 2, 2016, for two counts of sodomy in the first degree and eight counts of sexual abuse in the first degree.
Detectives learned that Mr. Mendenhall had fled to China and requested assistance from the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force, which located Mr. Mendenhall in Shanghai, China.
Chinese authorities were alerted that Mr. Mendenhall was a wanted fugitive living in their country. The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force worked with Chinese authorities to bring Mr. Mendenhall back to the United States.
Today, he was lodged in the Washington County Jail on the aforementioned charges. His bail has been set at $2,500,000.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office enjoys a great working relationship with the U.S. Marshal's Service. For more information, see http://bit.ly/2gqTgNM
Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Mr. Mendenhall also previously lived in multiple areas around the Portland Metropolitan area, including Vancouver, Washington. Anyone with information on Mr. Mendenhall and his interaction with children is requested to contact detectives at 503-846-2500.