Newark, N.J.- Prosector Theodore N. Stephens announced today that a Newark man has been sentenced to 154 years in prison for the sexual assault of three minors.
On November 14, 2025, Terrence Mells, 42, of Newark, was convicted by an Essex County jury 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.
The Honorable Naazneen Khan, J.S.C. presided over both the trial and the sentencing.
Prosecutors proved that the defendant abused the minors multiple times between March 2015 and November 2023. The abuse began when the victims were 12, 13, and 14. Prosecutors also proved that Mells threatened one of his victims after learning that he was being investigated for sexual assault.
Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Teller who tried the case with Assistant Prosector Christopher Byrnes said, “This sentence sends a clear message that those who prey on the vulnerable will be held fully accountable. The defendant’s actions were abhorrent and reprehensible. Because of the victims’ courage and the diligent work of law enforcement, justice has been served.”
Under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, Mells must serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Under Megan’s Law, the defendant is required to register as a sex offender and is subject to Parole Supervision for Life.
Anyone with information regarding any criminal activity is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will remain confidential.
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Newark, N.J.- Prosector Theodore N. Stephens announced today that a Newark man has been sentenced to 154 years in prison for the sexual assault of three minors.
On November 14, 2025, Terrence Mells, 42, of Newark, was convicted by an Essex County jury 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.
The Honorable Naazneen Khan, J.S.C. presided over both the trial and the sentencing.
Prosecutors proved that the defendant abused the minors multiple times between March 2015 and November 2023. The abuse began when the victims were 12, 13, and 14. Prosecutors also proved that Mells threatened one of his victims after learning that he was being investigated for sexual assault.
Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Teller who tried the case with Assistant Prosector Christopher Byrnes said, “This sentence sends a clear message that those who prey on the vulnerable will be held fully accountable. The defendant’s actions were abhorrent and reprehensible. Because of the victims’ courage and the diligent work of law enforcement, justice has been served.”
Under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, Mells must serve 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Under Megan’s Law, the defendant is required to register as a sex offender and is subject to Parole Supervision for Life.
Anyone with information regarding any criminal activity is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will remain confidential.
