Man sentenced for sexual assault

NORTH BRUNSWICK — A man accused of inappropriately photographing a young girl in North Brunswick and New Brunswick has been sentenced to serve 34 years in prison.

Melvin Calix-Antunez, 42, of New Brunswick, was sentenced on Aug. 18 for sexually assaulting and inappropriately photographing a child over a seven-year period beginning when she was nine years old, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey.

Calix-Antunez was convicted on April 2 of two counts of aggravated sexual assault, one count each of sexual assault and aggravated sexual contact, and three counts of endangering the welfare of the child.

During a six-day trial, Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Scott LaMountain presented evidence and testimony showing that the defendant sexually assaulted the girl and photographed her on a number of occasions in New Brunswick and North Brunswick between May 14, 2005, and June 29, 2012, according to Carey.

Calix-Antunez was charged after the girl’s mother learned of the assaults and contacted police, Carey said.

He must serve 85 percent of the term before he can be eligible for parole. Once released from prison, he must register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law, and will be subjected to parole supervision for life.