Belleville man convicted of sexually assaulting 9-year-old girl – NorthJersey.com

A Belleville man could be sentenced up to 25 years in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl.

Jose Santana, 59, was found guilty of three counts aggravated sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of endangering the welfare of a child on Monday, according to Theodore Stephens, acting Essex County Prosecutor.

The victim testified against Santana and said he forced her to watch child pornography in addition to being sexually assaulted, Stephens said. The girl was sexually assaulted when she was visiting Santana and his wife.

Child pornography was found on Santana’s computer when officials searched his home.

“The victim, a brave little 9-year-old girl, found the courage and the strength to tell her mother, and the jury, how the defendant had violated her,” said Peter Polidoro, the assistant prosecutor who tried Santana. “The day she testified was the day she took back her dignity.”

Santana’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2020.

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Kaitlyn Kanzler covers Essex County for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kanzler@northjersey.com Twitter: @KaitlynKanzler8

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