Man Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Newark Child

An Irvington man was convicted Thursday of sexually assaulting a young girl from Newark repeatedly over the course of two years, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.

Jose Cruz, 40, was found guilty by an Essex County jury following a four-day trial. Cruz was convicted on all six counts he was facing, including first-degree aggravated sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

His victim, a Newark resident, was assaulted repeatedly when she was 9 and 10 years old. The crimes occurred in the city.   

“The victim bravely came in and testified against the defendant,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Tony Gutierrez, who tried the case.

Cruz faces 10 to 20 years in prison. Under the state's No Early Release Act, he must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. He must also register under Megan’s Law.