What Happened
A Honduran national living in Brentwood has been indicted on a sweeping set of violent felony charges after allegedly kidnapping and strangling his former girlfriend in a harrowing incident that left her unconscious, according to News 12 Long Island. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office announced that Darli Mejia, 42, was charged in connection with the June 20, 2026 attack on his ex-girlfriend, which began as a deceptive ride offer and escalated into a violent abduction.
According to prosecutors, as reported by News 12 Long Island, Mejia approached the victim at her place of work and offered her a ride home. She accepted, believing she was in safe company with a familiar face. However, as the ride continued, the victim noticed that Mejia was not driving in the direction of her apartment. She grew alarmed and asked him to pull over so she could exit the vehicle and arrange her own transportation by calling a taxi. Rather than comply, Mejia allegedly confiscated her cellphone, eliminating her ability to call for help or track their location, and continued driving toward his own residence in Brentwood.
Upon arriving at his Brentwood apartment, Mejia allegedly forced the victim inside against her will. When she resisted his attempts to bring her into the building, prosecutors say he bit her on the face and dragged her by force into the backyard of his property. The violence then escalated dramatically: Mejia allegedly strangled the victim using one hand while simultaneously covering her nose and mouth with his other hand, completely cutting off her airway. The victim lost consciousness as a result of the strangulation, according to authorities cited by News 12 Long Island.
The victim only regained consciousness when Mejia performed chest compressions on her to revive her — a disturbing detail that underscores the severity of the strangulation she endured. Following her revival, prosecutors say Mejia promised to call an ambulance for her, and the victim, left with few options and still without her phone, agreed to enter his apartment under those terms. Once inside, she quickly moved to lock herself inside his bathroom, creating a barrier between herself and her alleged attacker.
In a critical moment, the victim then persuaded Mejia to return her confiscated cellphone. With the device back in her possession, she dialed 911 from inside the locked bathroom. Suffolk County police responded to the scene and arrested Mejia at the location — his own Brentwood apartment — without further incident. The victim was subsequently transported to South Shore University Hospital, where she received medical treatment for her injuries, which included bite wounds to her face and the physical effects of having been strangled to the point of unconsciousness.
The indictment, announced by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, lists a wide array of charges against Mejia: kidnapping, strangulation, sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment, grand larceny — related to the theft of the victim’s cellphone — criminal mischief, and harassment. Mejia is a Honduran national, according to prosecutors.
Location & Road Context
The incident is centered in Brentwood, a hamlet in the Town of Islip in central Suffolk County. Brentwood is a densely populated community and one of Long Island’s larger residential areas, situated along major corridors including Crooked Hill Road and Long Island Avenue. The community has experienced an elevated number of serious incidents in recent months — including a residential shooting reported on June 22, 2026, just two days after this alleged kidnapping. The abduction began off-site at the victim’s workplace, but the assault, arrest, and the primary crime scene are all located within Brentwood proper.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Mejia was indicted on seven distinct charges following the Suffolk County District Attorney’s investigation into the June 20 incident. The charges — kidnapping, strangulation, sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment, grand larceny, criminal mischief, and harassment — reflect both the physical violence inflicted on the victim and the coercive and controlling nature of the alleged offense, including the theft of her cellphone to prevent her from seeking help. Mejia is due back in court on August 10, 2026. If convicted on the top count of kidnapping, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office as reported by News 12 Long Island. No bail information was immediately available from the source reporting.
Broader Impact
Strangulation is treated with particular severity under New York State law, and for good reason: research consistently shows that victims of strangulation face dramatically elevated risk of future lethal violence at the hands of the same perpetrator. The fact that this victim lost consciousness — and was only revived by the alleged perpetrator himself — illustrates exactly why New York elevated strangulation to a standalone felony offense. Brentwood residents concerned about personal safety resources or domestic violence services can contact the Suffolk County Police Department directly. The case is being prosecuted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and the next court date is set for August 10, 2026.