PROSPECT PARK BOROUGH, NJ (Passaic County) – A Morris County man has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a child, whom he encountered as a passenger during the course of his part-time employment as a Lyft driver, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes.
Julio Mejia, 43, of Wharton Borough was found guilty of second-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree luring or enticing a child after a jury trial before the Honorable Joseph A. Portelli, J.S.C.
On Nov. 19, 2019, the Prospect Park Police Department received a report that a minor victim was sexually assaulted by a Lyft driver later identified as Mejia, Valdes said.
Thereafter, evidence was collected and multiple witnesses were interviewed, including the child. The child disclosed that Mejia and the victim had sexual intercourse after she took a Lyft ride on Aug. 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, Valdes said.
At the time of his arrest, Mejia was an active member of the armed services, Valdes said.
On Sept. 20, 2023, a petit jury convicted Mejia of second-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and second-degree luring or enticing a child. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before Judge Portelli on Feb. 9, 2023. Mejia was remanded to the Passaic County Jail pending sentence, Valdes said.
The sentencing exposure on second-degree sexual assault is five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison; on fourth-degree criminal sexual contact it is a maximum of eighteen months in New Jersey State Prison; on third-degree endangering the welfare of a child it is three to five years in New Jersey State Prison; and on second-degree luring or enticing a child it is five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison, Valdes said.
Mejia will be subject to Megan’s Law registration requirements and Parole Supervision for Life, Valdes said.
Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Alanna M. Jereb represented the State and Anthony Alfano, Esq., represented Mr. Mejia during the jury trial before Judge Portelli.
