| For Immediate Release Case # 09CF1331
March 12, 2010 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami Cell: 714-323-4486 |
HIGH SCHOOL JANITOR SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT IN HIS OFFICE ON CAMPUS
SANTA ANA – A high school janitor was sentenced today to six years in state prison for sexually assaulting a special education student in his campus office after grooming her with gifts, money, candy, and cards. Luis Antonio Mejia, 50, Orange, pleaded guilty to the court Dec. 1, 2009, to two felony counts of sexual penetration by foreign object of an incompetent victim, two felony counts of lewd acts upon a dependent person by a caretaker, two felony counts of sexual penetration by foreign object of a minor, and one misdemeanor count of child annoyance.
At the time of the crime, Mejia had worked as a janitor at El Modena High School in Orange for 12 years. Between Dec. 1, 2008, and April 30, 2009, he sexually assaulted Jane Doe, a special education student. Over the course of several months, Mejia groomed Jane Doe by giving her gifts, money, and candy. He exchanged written notes with the victim, including “I love you” cards and more than 100 calls and text messages during a 1-month period.
On several occasions, Mejia sexually assaulted the victim in his office at the school and instructed another janitor, who was unaware of the sexual assault, to cover a video surveillance camera with tape when he went into his office alone with the victim.
A friend of Jane Doe reported the inappropriate relationship to the school Principal. The school contacted the Orange Police Department, who investigated this case.
During the sentencing today, Jane Doe’s mother and stepfather gave impact statements explaining that the victim was already vulnerable and had difficulty making friends, and Mejia prayed on that vulnerability and took advantage of Jane Doe’s trust.
Deputy District Attorney Robert Mestman of the Sexual Assault Unit prosecuted this case.
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