Convicted Rapist Who Attacked Prostitutes is Sentenced

A 24-year-old man who raped three prostitutes in Santa Ana during a nine-month span, savagely beating two of them, was sentenced today to 75 years to life in prison.

Deputy District Attorney Keith Burke had asked that Jose Ricardo Mejia be sentenced to the maximum term of 129 years to life, but Orange County Superior Court Judge Francisco Briseno opted for the 75-to-life sentence.

Mejia was convicted Aug. 20 of one count of assault with a deadly weapon likely to produce great bodily injury, three counts of forced oral copulation and two counts of rape.

Mejia picked up his first victim on Nov. 9, 2009, on Harbor Boulevard -- a "well-known" corridor for prostitution -- and negotiated sex for $100, Burke said in his opening statement of Mejia's trial.

The victim -- known in court only as "Serena D" -- went with Mejia to 1501 N. Susan St., an industrial area, where the defendant "instead of pulling out cash, he pulled out what Serena says was some kind of metal rod, possibly a wrench," Burke said.

When the woman attempted to run away, Mejia "caught up with her, beat her and dragged her back to the car, shoved her into the back seat, where she was bleeding profusely at that point," Burke said.

Mejia told her, "I'm going to kill you, you're going to die tonight," Burke said.

When they were interrupted by a passerby, Mejia got out of the car, which his mother owned, and ran off, Burke said.

"He left his own car there, but she stayed and waited for the police to arrive," Burke said.

Later that night, Mejia called an ex-girlfriend and had her pick him up at a fast-food restaurant at Harbor and Westminster Avenue and give him a ride back to the car, Burke said. But when they arrived, the car was being impounded.

After inspecting the car, police questioned Mejia. They did not arrest him but continued their investigation, Burke said.

Mejia met the next victim Feb. 7, 2010, on Harbor Boulevard at Fifth Street, Burke said.

The two agreed on $100 for sex and drove to Jackson and Seventh streets into a cul de sac, where he "wailed" on her when she asked for a "donation" up front, Burke said.

The woman, known in court as Amber, told police she was punched repeatedly in the face and chest until she momentarily blacked out, Burke said. When she awakened, Mejia forced her to have sex with him, Burke said.

The woman did not immediately report the rape to police, but told investigators about it when she was arrested Feb. 10, 2010, for prostitution in Costa Mesa, Burke said. She still had bruises on her face from the beating, he said.

Mejia met the third victim Aug. 21, 2010, on Harbor Boulevard, where she was working as a prostitute, Burke said.

After negotiating a price for sex, the two drove to a cul de sac on Fay Circle, where she asked if he had condoms, Burke said. When Mejia said they were underneath the car seat, the woman, known in court as Jennifer, tried to reach for them but she said she couldn't find the contraceptives, Burke said.

Mejia held a knife to her throat and forced her to have sex with him, Burke said.

When they were done, Mejia said, "I should just kill you anyway," prompting the woman to "beg for her life" and offer to direct him to her car, where she could get him $100, Burke said.

Mejia drove her to where she said her car was parked, but when they arrived she jumped out and ran, screaming for help, Burke said.

The woman ran to Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and reported the rape, Burke said.

Police linked Mejia to her rape through DNA tests, Burke said. Investigators found Mejia's DNA on the skirt Amber was wearing on the night of her rape, Burke said.

Amber and Jennifer also picked Mejia out of lineups, Burke said.

-- City News Service