VALE, Ore. (KUTV) — The man connected to a federal investigation involving a missing teenager from Garden City, Utah has been booked into a county jail in Oregon. The teenager was reported missing in late May, 2025 from Rich County, Utah.
2News confirmed Adam Harmel, 39, is in custody at the Malheur County Jail in Vale, Oregon.
Man booked in Oregon jail in connection with missing Garden City, Utah teen (KUTV)
“He is being held on a federal warrant through the FBI,” Malheur County Sheriff Travis Johnson told 2News.
2News reached out to the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and Oregon State Police with additional questions. Neither agency would share additional information about the circumstances of how the 17-year-old girl was safely recovered.
“As this case is ongoing, no further information will be released at this time,” wrote the FBI in a prior press release on November 1, 2026.
In a statement on X, FBI Director Kash Patel shared, “Last night, local police in Oregon brought a minor who had been missing for a year and a half to safety, acting on information provided by our FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. We are grateful she can return home, and we will continue working with our partners to hold those responsible accountable.”
Information shared with 2News by those familiar with the situation on Sunday, November 1, says the safe recovery of the 17-year-old took place in a small town in nearby Baker County, and Harmel was identified as the 39-year-old involved.
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