Lyft Driver Sentenced For Sexually Assaulting Minor In Passaic Co.

PROSPECT PARK, NJ — A ride-share driver from who was convicted of sexually assaulting a juvenile passenger in Passaic County has been sentenced to prison, officials said.

Last September, a petit jury found 43-year-old Julio Mejia of Wharton 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.

According to Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Mejia picked up the victim while working as a Lyft driver on Aug. 30, 2019, in Prospect Park, and sexually assaulted her.

At the time of his arrest, Mejia was an active member of the armed services, the prosecutor's office said.

Prospect Park police received a report of the sexual assault on Nov. 19 and investigators collected evidence and interviewed multiple witnesses. The minor victim told police that Mejia had continued to interact with her via text messaging for several weeks before having sexual intercourse with her for the second time, officials said.

Last week, Judge Joseph A. Portelli sentenced Mejia to seven years in New Jersey State Prison, with the sentences for the sexual assault charge and the luring or enticing a child charge to run concurrently.

Mejia will also be under parole supervision for life, and have to register as a sexual offender under Megan's Law, said authorities.

Related article:

• Lyft Driver Guilty Of Sexual Assaulting Child, Passaic Co. Jury Rules