Julio Mejia
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that Julio Mejia, age 43, from Wharton, New Jersey, was sentenced to an aggregate term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Joseph A. Portelli, J.S.C. Mr. Mejia was convicted of second degree Sexual Assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2c(4), fourth degree Criminal Sexual Contact, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3b, third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(1), and second degree Luring or Enticing a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:13-6a, after a jury trial.
On November 19, 2019, the Prospect Park Police Department received a report that a minor victim was sexually assaulted by a ride-share driver later identified as the defendant, Julio Mejia. Thereafter, evidence was collected and multiple witnesses were interviewed, including the child victim. The victim disclosed that Mr. Mejia and the victim had sexual intercourse after she took a Lyft ride on August 30, 2019, that they continued to communicate via text message over the next several weeks, and that they later had sexual intercourse for a second time. At the time of his arrest, Mr. Mejia was an active member of the armed services.
On September 20, 2023, a petit jury convicted Mr. Mejia of second degree Sexual Assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2c(4), fourth degree Criminal Sexual Contact, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3b, third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(1), and second degree Luring or Enticing a Child, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:13-6a.
Today, Mr. Mejia was sentenced to a term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison on the Sexual Assault count and to a term of seven years in New Jersey State Prison on the Luring or Enticing a Child count. These sentences were ordered to run concurrently to one another. A special sentence of Parole Supervision for Life was also imposed. Mr. Mejia was ordered to comply with Megan’s Law registration requirements.
Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Alanna M. Jereb represented the State and Anthony Alfano, Esq., represented Mr. Mejia during the jury trial before Judge Portelli.