Two Sentenced for Human Trafficking

RIPON, Wis (WRPN) – Fond du Lac County Judge Laura Lavey said children are not for sale when she sentenced the mother of a 12-year-old girl and the man who sexually assaulted the girl to prison.

During yesterday’s hearing, Judge Lavey sentenced Elia Antonio to 34 years in prison and 20 years of extended supervision for human trafficking, failure to protect a child, and bail jumping.

Juan Rocha Mejia was sentenced to 40 years in prison and 20 years of extended supervision for the sexual assault directly related to the human trafficking of his girlfriend’s child.

District Attorney Eric Toney says both Antonio and Rocha Mejia were in the country illegally.

According to the criminal complaints, Antonio gave her daughter to Rocha Mejia for $250 to be sexually assaulted. Rocha Mejia held the victim in a van and tried to duct tape her as he began to sexually assault her. She fought back, biting him, and escaped from the van running to a nearby residence.

Judge Lavey said if Antonio had half the bravery of the survivor, this never would have happened.

The full news release can be read here.