Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Jose Luis Meza Jr. a 35-year-old-man from Oxnard, was sentenced yesterday to 18 years 8 months in state prison for the sexual assault of a female truck driver. Meza Jr. pled guilty on September 29, 2025, to the felony charges of assault with intent to commit rape and forcible oral copulation. He also admitted several special allegations and aggravating factors, including the commission of a prior strike offense.
On September 14, 2020, the victim was asleep in the cab of her truck in an Oxnard industrial area when she was awakened by Meza Jr. entering her vehicle. Meza Jr. demanded money and then climbed into the sleeping area, where he physically restrained and sexually assaulted the victim. The victim resisted throughout the attack and was able to escape and run for help. She ran to a nearby business for help, while Meza Jr. fled the area.
Responding officers recovered surveillance video from a nearby business depicting victim’s truck during the attack. The video showed the assailant exiting the victim’s truck following the attack wearing a distinctive yellow sweatshirt and discarding a water bottle. Officers recovered the water bottle which was later tested by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Forensic Services Bureau. DNA consistent with Meza Jr.’s was identified. Additionally, Meza Jr. was contacted by police officers in unrelated incidents shortly before and shortly after the attack on the victim. In each of these contacts, Meza Jr. was wearing a yellow sweatshirt.
District Attorney Investigator Greg Webb assisted the Oxnard Police Department with the investigation, resulting in Meza Jr.’s arrest on August 13, 2024. The case against Meza Jr. was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Brent Nibecker.
“The hard work of our forensic scientist partners at the Sheriff’s Forensic Services Bureau has again brought justice to another victim who deserved it,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Brent Nibecker. “Because of their commitment to the victim in this case, our community has been made safer.”