Crime & Safety

Teen Accused of Multiple Sex Assaults to be Charged as Adult

A Bensalem teen who has been charged with sexual assault involving nine minor girls will be tried as an adult in most of the cases, police said.

An 18-year-old Bensalem man who was charged as a juvenile with five sex assaults and another two as an adult last week, will now face penalties as an adult in all seven cases, a juvenile court judge has ruled. 

Joshua Ray Benson is being held in the Bucks County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5 million bail.

Bensalem Police Sgt. Andrew Aninsman said a juvenile court ruled that Benson will be tried as an adult in seven of the eight sexual assault cases. The ruling follows Benson's arrest Thursday on charges he sexually assaulted two minor girls from December 2012 through May—after Benson turned 18. 

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On Friday, Benson was charged with an eighth sexual assault alleged to have happened when he was a minor.

He could face charges in a ninth sexual assault alleged to have happened in 2009, according to Aninsman. The girl who was allegedly assaulted made a report to police over the weekend, and Aninsman said her claims are being investigated. 

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For now, Benson will be tried as an adult in the first seven cases. The eighth case is making its way through the court system, Aninsman said. 


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