Passaic County Prosecutor, Camelia M. Valdes, announced Julio Mejia, age 43, from Wharton, New Jersey, was sentenced to a term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Joseph A. Portelli, J.S.C. Mr. Mejia was convicted of four charges, which include, two Second Degree charges of Sexual Assault, which violates N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2c(4), Second Degree charge of Luring or Enticing a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:13-6a, Third Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(1), and Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Contact, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3b. Mr. Mejia was found guilty after a jury trial.
In November of 2019, Prospect Park Police Department was given a report that a minor was sexually assaulted by a ride-share driver, who was ultimately identified as the defendant Julio Mejia. Subsequently, evidence was collected and several witnesses were interviewed, which included the minor. The victim revealed that she and the defendant,Mejia, had sexual intercourse after she took a Lyft ride in August of 2019. Additionally, they continued communication via text messages for several weeks, which lead to them later on having sexual intercourse once again for the second time. At the moment of Mejia’s arrest, he was currently an active member of the armed services.
On September 20, 2023, a jury convicted Mr. Mejia, a 43 year old, of both Second Degree charges of Sexual Assault, Luring or Enticing a Child, Third Degree charge of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Fourth Degree charge of Criminal Sexual Contact.
Today, Mr.Mejia was sentenced to a term of Seven Years in New Jersey State Prison on the Sexual Assault charge, and to a term of Seven Years in New Jersey State Prison on the Luring or Enticing a Child count. Both sentences were ordered to be run concurrently to one another. A special sentence of Parole Supervision for Life was also ordered. Mejia was additionally ordered to comply with Megan’s Law registration requirements.
Representatives for this case were Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Alanna M. Jereb who represented the State and Anthony Alfano Esq., represented Mr. Mejia with the trial before Passaic County Superior Court Judge Portelli.
