Windsor Spitfire hockey forward Ben Johnson was arrested this past Monday and charged with two counts of sexual assault. The 18-year-old is a native of Calumet, Mich.
According to The Windsor Star, the alleged incidents took place in the washrooms of local bars.
Windsor police Sgt. Matt D’Asti said police attended the Metropolitan campus of Windsor Regional Hospital at about 1:50 a.m. Monday and spoke with a 16-year-old girl, who told officers she had been sexually assaulted. Police then arrested the suspect in the 11000 block of Rockland Street just before 4 a.m. D’Asti said during the course of the investigation, a second woman, aged 20, came forward. That woman told police she had also been sexually assaulted by the accused in the washroom of a second bar about three weeks ago.
Johnson appeared in court via video on Tuesday and was released on $30,000 bond. According to reports, part of his bail conditions include being unable to communicate with more than a dozen witnesses, some of whom are teammates, and being banned from drinking alcohol.
Patrick Ducharme, defense lawyer for Johnson, said his client was expected to return to his family in Michigan earlier this week.
Prior to joining Windsor, Johnson was a high school hockey star for the Calumet Copper Kings and led them to a runner-up finish at the state championship in 2011. In 2011, he was co-winner of Michigan's Mr. Hockey award as the state's top player, as well as the Hobey Baker High School Character Award for exemplary sportsmanship and character. In June 2012, Johnson was drafted in the 3rd round, 90th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the NHL Entry Draft.
