A Morristown teen accused of sexually assaulting a woman who was taking an afternoon stroll on a popular trail last month could serve 10 years without parole under a plea offer from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
With help from a translator, Lizandro Osorio-Mejia, 18, listened via a video hookup from the Morris County Jail as the proposal was spelled out Tuesday before Superior Court Judge Noah Franzblau in Morristown.
Osorio-Mejia faces a slew of charges in connection with the alleged sexual assault and robbery of a 57-year-old woman on the Traction Line jogging path, near the Morristown/Morris Township border, in the middle of the afternoon on May 3, 2022.
Authorities also have charged a 17-year-old male who they say served as Osorio-Mejia’s lookout.
If Osorio-Mejia pleads guilty to one count of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, Assistant Prosecutor Catherine LaQuaglia said she would recommend a second-degree prison sentence.
She also would ask the judge to impose lifetime parole supervision under Meghan’s Law, along with a sex offender evaluation, and a ban on contact with the victim.
Osorio-Mejia also could serve a concurrent 10-year, no-early-release sentence for first-degree robbery as part of this deal, LaQuaglia added.
Attorney Balin Baidwan from the Morris County Public Defender’s Office said he had just received this proffer and had not yet discussed it with Osorio-Mejia. Baidwan must review the evidence against his client — but the prosecution still is sifting it.
LaQuaglia told the judge her office needs at least two weeks to redact “hundreds of hours of footage” from police bodycams, before sharing the video with the defense lawyer.
Everyone will reconvene next month. If no plea settlement is reached, there won’t be much time for the prosecution to seek an indictment, Judge Franzblau noted. According to the state’s speedy trial rules, he said, Osorio-Mejia could be freed if his case status is not resolved by Aug. 3, 2022.
Authorities allege that Osorio-Mejia threatened the victim with a rock, slapped her and demanded money. Getting none, he allegedly attempted to force the woman to perform oral sex. He fled after she bit him, according to investigators.
Osorio-Mejia is charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, one count of second-degree sexual assault, plus two counts of aggravated criminal sexual contact (third degree), criminal sexual contact (fourth degree); possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, terroristic threats and aggravated assault, all third-degree crimes; and theft, (fourth degree).
The juvenile who allegedly stood watch faces charges of robbery, as an accomplice, a first degree offense; conspiracy to commit robbery (second degree); and theft (fourth degree). He has been released to the custody of his guardian.
This is the most concerning… “According to the state’s speedy trial rules, he said, Osorio-Mejia could be freed if his case status is not resolved by Aug. 3, 2022.”
Charged with 10 separate crimes but offering him a plea to just one crime with a reduced jail sentence….Why?
Same question for yesterday’s story about the train station murderer.