L-R, Elia Antonio, Juan Carolos Rocha Mejia. (Fond du Lac Co. Jail)
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A man who allegedly paid a woman to have access to her 12-year-old daughter for sex pleaded not guilty Thursday.
Juan Rocha-Mejia, 21, faces four counts, including first-degree sexual assault of a child and child enticement. No trial date was set, according to court records.
Rocha-Mejia allegedly paid Elia Antonio, 34, for access to the girl. Antonio faces four charges, including trafficking of a child. She has pleaded not guilty and returns to court Oct. 29. No trial date has been set.
According to the criminal complaint, Rocha-Mejia assaulted the girl in the back of a van in Oakfield. The girl, according to authorities, fought off her attacker, who had bound and blindfolded her, biting him before running away to a nearby home, where a good Samaritan called 911.
“When deputies arrived they started talking to this girl and quickly realized the magnitude of the allegations and seriousness of the crime,” Fond du Lac County Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt previously said.
The criminal complaint says out of fear, Antonio said she sold her 12-year old daughter to Rocha Mejia for $250.
At an earlier court hearing, District Attorney Eric Toney said, “The allegations in the criminal complaint reflect the defendant attempting to sexually assault the victim, having sexual contact over her clothing, trying to restrain her with tape, trying to blindfold her, trying to constrict her airways and her brave actions resulted in her escaping and getting help.”
Through an interpreter, Rocha Mejia denied the allegations. He said, “What they are accusing me here, I have nothing to do with this.”
Help is available with the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or text “INFO” to 233733. Local resources are available with ASTOP’s 24 hour crisis line: 920-926-5395.
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