'Repeat Offender' Charged with Sexual Assault: Police

A Bensalem man already serving time in a juvenile detention center for allegedly sexually assaulting five juvenile girls while he himself was underage was 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 minor victims 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 minor 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 victims by meeting them on a dating Web site or through other people, according to Aninsman. Over the course of a few weeks Aninsman said the victims 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 victims at his Bensalem residence and other "secluded locations" in the township, according to court documents. 

The victim 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 as he penetrated her." 

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. 

"There is fear from them of retaliation," Henry said of the victims. 

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

Judge Falcone set bail at $5 million and said Benson is to have no contact with the victims. 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 any victims who have not yet reported an assault involving Benson to please contact Det. Chris McMullin or Det. Dave Nieves Jr at 215-633-3719