This morning at 8:04, Police received report of sexual misconduct by a 23-year-old man with a 17-year-old minor female. Patrol followed up on the report and developed probable cause for arresting the suspect, Steven Mejia, age 23, of Eugene.
Because Mejia is a documented member of the Bario Los Paddrinos criminal street gang and because during the initial investigation, police learned Mejia might potentially be armed with a handgun, EPD SWAT was deployed along with Crisis Negotiation Team and Fire/EMS to increase the safety of the arrest for all parties.
Mejia was in a residence at 265 W. 8th on the 6th floor. Police evacuated the 6th floor of the building, then attempted to hail Mejia. When hailing was unsuccessful in getting him to the door, SWAT used a diversion sound device and took him into custody at 12:24 p.m. without incident.
Mejia will be lodged at the Lane County Jail for Sexual Misconduct and Delivery of a Controlled Substance Schedule II Methamphetamine.
In the residence, Police found a replica airsoft-type pistol with components to also allow it to appear as a sub machine gun. Photos are attached. ###