Judge: Accused Serial Rapist To Be Tried As An Adult
By Brad Segall
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A judge in Bucks County has ruled that an accused teenage serial rapist will stand trial as an adult for five sexual assaults that he allegedly committed while he was a juvenile.
The judge certified Josh Benson of Bensalem as an adult in connection with the assaults of five underage girls he allegedly committed while he was 16 and 17. He now faces charges in adult court in seven alleged assaults, and police say he was charged with an eighth case Friday.
Officials are also investigating another victim's claims.
"They were prepared… and they were here, and they were ready, and none of this would have happened without that," says Prosecutor Michele Walsh, who credits the victims for coming forward.
She says the five were in court ready to tell their stories.
According to police, Benson met many of his victims on an online dating service.
He remains behind bars on $5 million bail.
Walsh says Benson faces numerous felonies and significant jail time if he's convicted. She says it was important to move this case to adult court because of the number of victims and the type of criminal conduct.
