Commonwealth v. Ricardo Leonel Mejia; 30 Years to Serve for Rape of Child Under age 13

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Ricardo Leonel Mejia, age 35, formerly of the 7000 block of Mamie Boulevard in Norfolk, Virginia, was sentenced on three (3) counts of Rape – Victim Under Age 13. Circuit Court Judge Stephen C. Mahan sentenced Mejia to 75 years in prison with 45 years suspended, leaving thirty (30) years to serve.

Mejia pled guilty on June 17, 2025. The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on October 9, 2024, the 11-year-old victim’s mother went to check on the victim before going to bed. The mother attempted to open the door, but it was locked. She got a butter knife and used it to open the door. Once she opened it, she saw 34-year-old Ricardo Mejia naked in her daughter's bed. The mother then yelled for her husband. Mejia jumped out of bed, grabbed some of his clothes, exited the bedroom through an open window, and ran away. The mother recognized Mejia as a man whom the family had hired to renovate one of the bathrooms in their home.

The victim told police that the defendant had vaginal intercourse with her. A physical examination was conducted on the victim, and forensic analysis determined that Mejia’s DNA and spermatozoa were present on the victim.

Police interviewed Mejia and he admitted to having a relationship with the child and knowing that she was underage. Mejia stated he jumped out of the window because he was scared of a confrontation with the victim’s father. He also said the night of October 9, 2024, was the third time he had sexual intercourse with the victim. The first time occurred a few days prior in the bathroom of the home when the victim’s parents were not home, and the second and third times occurred at night when he entered her bedroom.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Megan M. Lang prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.