GUILTY! Newark Man Sexually Assaulted 3 Underage Family Members, Prosecutor Says

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

A Newark man was convicted of sexually assaulting three underage family members over several years, authorities said Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Terrence Mells, 42, was found guilty by an Essex County jury on Friday, Nov. 15, following a four-day trial before Judge Naazneen Khan, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said.

Mells abused three underage family members multiple times between March 2015 and November 2023, prosecutors said. The abuse began when the victims were 12, 13, and 14, and in one instance, Mells threatened one of the victims after learning he was being investigated, officials said.

Mells was convicted of three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, one count of third-degree aggravated criminal sexual assault, three counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of first-degree witness tampering.

Prosecutors credited the Newark Police Division’s Special Victims Unit and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit for their work on the case.

Mells is scheduled for sentencing on Feb. 23, 2026. He faces up to 85 years in New Jersey State Prison.

The public is encouraged to report information related to criminal activity by calling the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. “All calls will remain confidential.”