Illegal immigrants charged with Fond du Lac child trafficking of daughter, sexual assault

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An illegal immigrant mother has been charged with child trafficking of her daughter.  The mother’s boyfriend has been charged with first degree sexual assault, according to Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney.

Toney noted cash bond has been set for both defendants at $1 million each, respectively.

Toney announced Wednesday that Elia Antonio has been charged with Trafficking of a Child, Failure to Protect a Child, and bail jumping.

Juan Carlos Rocha Mejia has been charged with First Degree Sexual Assault, Child Enticement, Strangulation/Suffocation, and False Imprisonment.

The charges stem from May 18, 2024 allegations.

Both defendants made their initial court appearance today and Judge Douglas Edelstein, The investigation reflects the defendants are illegally in the United States and ICE detainers have been placed on the defendants. Both defendants are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 7, 2024 at 2 p.m.

“Sadly, human trafficking exists all over the world, including Fond du Lac County. We will always stand with law enforcement to protect our community from monsters that prey on children and ensure they’re held accountable in the justice system. 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,” Toney said.

The investigation is being led by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials noted the investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed at a later date.

If anyone has information or background on Elia Antonio or Juan Carlos Rocha Mejia authorities are asking that you contact the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office tip line: 920-406-4777.

These cases are being prosecuted by District Attorney Eric Toney and ADA Kristin Menzl.

Click here to view Antonio’s criminal complaint and click here to view Rocha Mejia’s criminal complaint.

As previously reported by the Wisconsin Law Journal, on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 12:12 a.m. deputies from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a private residence in rural town of Oakfield for a sexual assault complaint.

The caller was a resident reporting a 12-year-old female had just showed up at his door seeking help. She had just fled from a vehicle in the area where an adult male had bound and blindfolded her and was attempting to assault her.

“Bravely, she was able to fight back, break free from the suspect and vehicle, and ran to the house for help,” authorities said.

Detectives were able to determine the identity and location of the suspect and tactical plan was developed to take him into custody. The Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, with the assistance of the Fond du Lac Police Department SWAT team, executed a search warrant at a residence on Marquette Street in the City of Fond du Lac Monday evening. During the SWAT operation the suspect was eventually taken into custody without incident.

Sheriff’s detectives have determined the suspect of the assault is a 30 or 31-year-old Nicaraguan man (legal identity yet to be determined based on multiple aliases) who entered the United States illegally from Mexico into Texas in October of 2021.

At that time, authorities say he was apprehended by US Customs and Border Protection agents, processed at a federal facility, and released from their custody with instructions to follow per current federal immigration policy. Detectives are still working to determine the immigration status of the victim’s mother. She has also been arrested for numerous crimes related to this incident, and both are currently in custody in the Fond du Lac County Jail. Further arrests may be forthcoming once the remainder of the investigation is complete.

The juvenile victim and her siblings have all safely been taken into protective custody by the Fond du Lac County Human Services.