NEWARK, N.J. (WCBS 880) -- A New Jersey man will spend decades behind bars for sexually assaulting a young girl and making her watch child pornography.
Jose Santana, 60 of Belleville, was sentenced to 35 years in a state prison Monday for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl. He was convicted almost two years ago, but the pandemic delayed sentencing.
Officials said the assaults occurred on multiple occasions between October 2017 and August 2018 while the girl was visiting Santana and his wife at their Belleville home.
Santana also forced the young girl to watch child pornography while the assaults happened, according to the Essex County DA.
When officers searched Santana's home on a warrant, they said child porn was found on his computer. He was arrested in September 2018.
Under the state's No Early Release Act, Santana is required to serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Santana was convicted on aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, possession of child pornography and endangering the welfare of a child charges.
"Hopefully, this will give closure to the family and this little girl will be able to rest easy knowing her brave actions will prevent him from hurting her or anyone else in the future,'' said Assistant Prosecutor Peter C. Polidoro.
