Man Who Sexually Assaulted Woman On Morris County Bike Trail Sentenced

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A 20-year-old man will spend the next decade of his life behind bars for his role in the sexual assault of a woman on a popular walking trail in Morristown back in 2022, authorities said.

Lizandro Osorio-Mejia pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated sexual assault, first-degree robbery, and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in connection with the May 3, 2022, attack on a 57-year-old woman.

At the time of the assault, Osorio-Mejia was 18 years old, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Osorio-Mejia and a 17-year-old accomplice robbed the woman on the Traction Line Recreation Trail. After the robbery, when the victim refused to hand over anything, Osorio-Mejia dragged her to the ground, threatened her with a rock, and sexually assaulted her, according to authorities.

Throughout the attack, the 17-year-old boy remained nearby.

Both men lived in Morristown at the time of the attack, police said.

Both suspects fled the scene after the attack and were arrested three days later. Authorities had released a composite sketch and security camera images after detectives identified them exiting an apartment building on Speedwell Avenue in Morristown.

Osorio-Mejia must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence before he is eligible for parole. The sentence also is subject to the No Early Release Act, and he will be required to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said.

The accomplice, now identified as Kenneth Barios Aviles, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft, an offense that would have been classified as a third-degree crime if committed by an adult.

On Dec. 18, 2023, he was sentenced to 18 months of probation, with credit for 40 days of time served, and ordered to have no contact with the victim, the prosecutor's office said.