Man accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old in Fond du Lac County pleads not guilty

FOND DU LAC (WLUK) — A man who allegedly paid a woman to have access to her 12-year-old daughter for sex pleaded not guilty Thursday.

Juan Rocha-Mejia, 21, faces four counts, including first-degree sexual assault of a child and child enticement. No trial date has been set, according to court records.

Rocha-Mejia allegedly paid Elia Antonio, 34, for access to the girl. Four charges have been brought against Antonio, including child trafficking. She pleaded not guilty and returns to court on October 29. A trial date has not yet been set.

According to the criminal complaint, Rocha-Mejia attacked the girl in the back of a van in Oakfield. According to authorities, the girl fought back against her attacker, who had bound and blindfolded her, and bit him before fleeing to a nearby home, where a good Samaritan called 911.

“When officers arrived, they began talking to this girl and quickly realized the extent of the allegations and the seriousness of the crime,” Fond du Lac County Sheriff Ryan Waldschmidt previously said.

The criminal complaint states that out of fear, Antonio said she sold her 12-year-old daughter to Rocha Mejia for $250.

At a previous court hearing, District Attorney Eric Toney said, “The allegations in the criminal complaint reflect the defendant’s attempt to sexually assault the victim, to have sexual contact over her clothing, to restrain her with duct tape, to blindfold her, to attempt to do so.” “ Her airway was constricted and her brave actions led to her being able to escape and get help.

Through an interpreter, Rocha Mejia denied the allegations. He said: “What they are accusing me of here, I have nothing to do with it.”

For help, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or text “INFO” to 233733. Local resources are available through ASTOP’s 24-hour crisis hotline: 920-926-5395.