Newark Man Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Three Young Family Members
Friday, November 21, 2025, 7:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
NEWARK, NJ.- Last Friday, a 42-year-old Newark, New Jersey, man learned he would die in New Jersey State Prison when sentenced next year after being found guilty of sexually assaulting three family members for over eight years, beginning when the children were just twelve, thirteen, and fourteen years of age.
According to Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, on Friday, November 14, 2025, following a four-day trial in Essex County Superior Court before Superior Court Judge Naazneen Khan, a jury found Terrence Mells, 42, of Newark, New Jersey, guilty of three counts of first-degree Aggravated Sexual Assault; three counts of second-degree Sexual Assault; one count of third-degree Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact; three counts of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child; and one count of first-degree Witness Tampering.
Following the jury returning their findings of guilt, Judge Khan accepted the verdict and scheduled sentencing for February 23, 2026. At that time, Mells will be facing up to 85 years in State Prison.
Evidence Presented At Trial Proved That Mells Sexually Assaulted His Family Members
During the trial, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office presented evidence that proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Mells sexually abused three underage family members on multiple occasions between March 2015 and November 2023. The abuse began when the children were 12, 13, and 14 years of age. The Prosecutor’s Office also presented evidence that Mells threatened one of the victims after he learned that he was being investigated for sexual assault.
“The jury’s verdict represents an important step toward justice and closure for the victims in the case. The defendant’s unspeakable acts were a profound violation of trust. We commend the victims for their strength throughout this process and thank the jury for its service,” said Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Teller. Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Byrne added, “The jury’s verdict honors the strength of the victims who took the stand in this trial, where they could not be silenced any longer by the defendant.”
Essex County Prosecutor Stephens commended the investigative work of the Newark Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit for their dedicated work in this case.
