Joseph L. Johnson, 40, of 524 Pine Hill St., Minersville, who allegedly raped two teenage girls, was arraigned early Wednesday morning and is now being held in Schuylkill County Prison.
Minersville police Patrolman Jeffrey Bowers said that Johnson, who has been charged in incidents that occurred June 19, 2011, and several times between January 2012 and summer 2012, arrived at Schuylkill County Prison at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday and was video arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville.
From two cases, Johnson was charged with two counts each of rape, sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, indecent assault and indecent exposure, and other felonies, according to Republican-Herald archives.
Bowers said that bail was set at $100,000 straight cash on each case and that he will be held until a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Platchko, Port Carbon.
Johnson was captured by U.S. Marshals on Aug. 26 and put in a jail in Cobb County, Ga. He was brought back to Schuylkill County on a prisoner bus.
