A Honduran national was indicted for allegedly holding his ex-girlfriend captive in his vehicle, then dragging her into his backyard, where he allegedly strangled her to prevent her from getting away.
On June 20, Darli Mejia allegedly picked up the victim from work under the pretense that he would give her a ride home. When the victim realized Mejia was not driving towards her apartment, she asked him to pull over so she could call a taxi. Instead, Mejia allegedly took her cellphone and continued driving towards his Brentwood residence.
Once there, Mejia allegedly attempted to force the victim inside his apartment. When she resisted, Mejia allegedly bit her face and dragged her into the backyard, where he strangled her with one hand and covered her nose and mouth with the other.
During the alleged strangulation, the victim lost consciousness and only regained it when Mejia allegedly performed chest compressions in an apparent attempt to revive her.
Despite being in pain and without a cellphone, the victim agreed to enter Mejia’s apartment because he allegedly promised to call for an ambulance. Once inside, the victim locked herself in his bathroom and convinced Mejia to give her back her cellphone. After he allegedly gave the cellphone back, the victim called 911. Members of the Suffolk County Police Department arrived and placed Mejia under arrest. The victim was transported to South Shore University Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries.
On July 2, Mejia, 42, was arraigned on the indictment for the following charges before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis:
- one count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony
- one count of Strangulation in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony
- one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D violent felony
- one count of Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree, a Class E felony
- one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony
- three counts of Assault in the Third Degree, Class A misdemeanors
- two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, Class A misdemeanors
- one count of Harassment in the Second Degree, a violation
Wilutis ordered Mejia held on $750,000 cash, $1,500,000 bond, or $7,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.
Mejia is due back in court on August 10 and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.
The United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer to take custody of the defendant following this prosecution.