Overview
- Jose Luis Meza Jr. pleaded guilty last month to assault with intent to commit rape and forcible oral copulation, admitting prior strike offenses and parole status at the time.
- A Ventura County judge imposed an 18-year, eight-month state prison term on Oct. 27, 2025, following the plea.
- Responding officers recovered a tossed water bottle whose DNA profile matched Meza through testing by the Sheriff's Forensic Services Bureau.
- Surveillance video captured the assailant leaving the victim’s truck in a distinctive yellow sweatshirt, and police had contacted Meza in the same sweatshirt before and after the attack.
- Meza was arrested on Aug. 13, 2024, and prosecutors pointed victims to Ventura County’s Sexual Assault Initiative website for support services and sexual assault kit information.