Morris Co. Lyft Driver Found Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Child

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Morris County Lyft driver has been convicted of sexually assaulting a child who was a passenger in his car, prosecutors announced on Thursday.

Julio Mejia, 43, of Wharton, was found guilty of second-degree sexual assault and second-degree luring or enticing a child following a jury trial in Passaic County on Sept. 20.

According to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Mejia picked up the victim on Aug. 30, 2019, in Prospect Park, and sexually assaulted her.

The minor victim came forward to police on Nov. 19, 2019, and said that Mejia had continued to interact with her via text messaging for several weeks before sexually assaulting her for the second time.

At the time of his arrest, Mejia was an active member of the armed services, the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office said.

The jury convicted Mejia of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree sexual assault and second-degree luring or enticing a child.

Mejia faces more than 25 years in prison, registration as a sex offender, and life parole supervision under Megan's Law. A sentencing hearing is scheduled before Judge Portelli on Feb. 9, 2024. Mejia will remain in the Passaic County Jail pending his sentence, the prosecutor's office said.