A Newark man faces up to 85 years in state prison after being convicted of sexually abusing three underage family members for nearly 10 years, authorities said Tuesday.

Terrence Mells, 42, was found guilty on Friday of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, three counts of second-degree child endangerment and first-degree witness tampering, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office told NJ Advance Media.

His trial lasted just four days.

According to prosecutors, Mells abused the three children between March 2015 and November 2023, starting when they were ages 12, 13, and 14. Moreover, he threatened one of the victims upon learning he was under investigation, officials said.

It’s unclear how Me

See Full Page