NEWARK — A city man was sentenced Tuesday to 18 years in prison and will face deportation from the United States once he is out of prison after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two girls.

Uvaldo Melgar, 46, was convicted by an Essex County jury in November of raping a 7-year-old girl from August 2012 to May 2013 and endangering her 10-year-old sister.

Melgar and his wife were caregivers for the girls while their mother was at work.

Melgar must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. He would also be subject to parole supervision for life and reporting requirements under Megan's Law.

“This sentence brings finality and a sense of closure to the victims and their families,’’ Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Peter Polidoro said Tuesday.

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