Judge Gregg Marcus on Tuesday ordered a Palmdale man accused of two separate sexual assault allegations back to his courtroom next month for a preliminary hearing on the charges, after evidence was reported that allegedly linked the man to both crimes.
Luis Chinchilla Mejia, 41, is charged with the forcible rape of two women he did not know, according to a criminal complaint filed June 26. At a preliminary hearing, the evidence and any affirmative defense is presented, and a judge decides whether there’s enough to hold a trial.
During a pretrial hearing this week, the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office presented two pieces of evidence stipulated for the record, based on the minute order for Department G in the San Fernando Courthouse.
The record indicated both of Mejia’s alleged victims had Sexual Assault Response Team examinations performed on them after the incidents, which is part of the procedure law enforcement officials use to document and investigate such allegations. A buccal swab for DNA was taken from Mejia in September. It matched evidence found on both of the victims identified in the criminal complaint filed by the DA’s Office.
L.A. County Sheriff’s Department detectives with the Special Victims Unit suspect Mejia targeted two women between March 3 and May 17, 2024, according to an LASD Nixle released last year.
The first location of an assault was mentioned as Sierra Highway and Avenue R in Palmdale, and the second location was Pico Canyon Road in Stevenson Ranch.
In response to the allegations, SVU detectives asked residents in August if they recognized a man accused of luring at least two women he didn’t know and then assaulting them.
Both allegations filed Aug. 4 against Mejia carry a potential penalty of 25 years to life based on the severity of the allegation and his alleged use of a weapon in the commission of the crime.
He pleaded not guilty to both counts at his Aug. 14 arraignment through an interpreter.
He remains in custody in lieu of $1.2 million bail at Men’s Central Jail.
Anyone with information about these incidents can contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Special Victims Bureau toll free tip line at 877-710-5273 or by email at [email protected]. If someone prefers to provide information anonymously, they can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use a smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google Play or the Apple APP Store or by using the website lacrimestoppers.org.
