ELIZABETH -- A man convicted of the repeated sexual assault a child over a period of two years was sentencing Friday to 28 years in prison, authorities said.
Javier Lopez, 29, of Paterson, received a 19-year sentence for a charge of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, and a 9-year prison term for a second-degree charge of endangering the welfare of a minor, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park said in a statement.
Park said the two terms must be served consecutively.
Superior Court Judge John M. Deitch ordered that Lopez serve at least 85 percent of the 19-year term before he can begin serving the second sentence, the prosecutor said.
No details were released about the victim except that it was a child under age 13.
Union County Assistant Prosecutor Shawn Barnes, who prosecuted the case, said Plainfield police notified the prosecutor's office about the case in 2014.
The special victims unit in the prosecutor's office investigated the assaults and arrested Lopez late in 2014, Barnes said.
He said Lopez' case went to court last year and, after a three-week long trial, a jury deliberated about three hours before finding him guilty.
Park said Lopez must register as a sex offender under Megan's Law and he will be subject to parole supervision for life.
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