Sanford, N.C. — Sheriff's deputies recovered the body of a man from a Lee County pond Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office identified the victim from his work visa as Jose Javier Cruz Perez, 19.

Perez was fishing with a group of his coworkers when he decided to go swimming just before 1:30 p.m., authorities said. Witnesses said he disappeared under the water about three-quarters of the way across the pond.

Perez was employed by a local farmer and had only been in the area for two days, said deputies.

The pond is located in a rural area of Lee County near the intersection of Buckhorn Road and Pottery Lane.

The man's body was found about 20 feet out from the shore in about 14 feet of water, authorities said.