'Repeat Offender' Charged with Sexual Assault: Police

A Bensalem man already serving time in a juvenile detention center for allegedly sexually assaulting five girls while he himself was underage has been charged with two felony counts of sexual assault for crimes authorities said he committed as an adult. 

Joshua Ray Benson, 18, of the 2000 block of Brown Avenue, was arrested and charged Thursday morning with two felony counts of sexual assault, two misdemeanor charges of indecent assault without consent and two felony counts of aggravated indecent assault stemming from alleged sexual assaults of two girls from December 2012 through May 2013. 

Benson, according to police, has been serving time in Edison Juvenile Detention Center for the sexual assault of five other girls that he allegedly assaulted while he was a juvenile. Police said he has been detained for the last 90 days.

Thursday's charges bring the number of victims to seven, according to Bensalem Police Sgt. Andrew Aninsman, who referred to Benson as a "repeat offender." All of the victims are between 14 and 16 years old, Aninsman said. 

In many of the cases Benson befriended the girls by meeting them on a dating website or through other people, according to Aninsman. Over a few weeks, Aninsman said, the girls would trust Benson and at some point agreed to have sex with him.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, sex turned from consensual to "forcible." Benson claimed to have "lost control" and admitted sexually assaulting one of the girls at his Bensalem residence and other "secluded locations" in the township, according to court documents. 

The girl told police that Benson sexually assaulted her "numerous times" without her consent, according to the affidavit.

"She would tell him to stop during these assaults and was crying but he would continue to have intercourse despite her asking to stop," according to the affidavit. "On one occasion he put his hands around her throat" during the sex act, the documents said.

Benson, who police said is from Utah, but has lived in Bensalem for the last three years, was arraigned Thursday morning before District Judge Joseph P. Falcone. He swore at reporters as he was escorted into court. 

In court, Prosecutor Michelle Henry argued for "significant" bail. He said the victims fear retaliation.

Benson's attorney, Robert A. Mancini, argued that for unsecured bail because Benson "is held and cannot get out."

Judge Falcone set bail at $5 million and said Benson is to have no contact with the girls. A preliminary hearing has been set for Dec. 3 before Bensalem District Justice Leonard Brown. Benson will be transferred from Edison Juvenile holding facility to Bucks County Prison where he will remain.

Bensalem Police are asking anyone who may have been victimized by Benson but have not yet reported it to contact Det. Chris McMullin or Det. Dave Nieves Jr at 215-633-3719.