Suspect in girl’s
assault faces trial

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

Her ordeal occurred more than a year ago, but a 15-year-old Frankford girl was able to recall vividly the frightening details of her gunpoint abduction and sexual assault at last week’s preliminary hearing for the neighborhood man accused in the attack.
The girl was the lone witness in the 45-minute hearing for Jason Johnson, 32, of the 1600 block of Orthodox St.
As a result of the girl’s testimony, Family Court Judge Ricardo C. Jackson ordered Johnson to stand trial for a series of felony charges, including kidnapping and aggravated indecent assault.
According to Assistant District Attorney Richard DeSipio, the case is likely to be consolidated with that of another assault that Johnson allegedly committed on Jan. 3 in the same neighborhood and in similar fashion.
Testimony at last week’s hearing was related to an attack that occurred at dawn on Jan. 8, 2007, as the girl, then 14, waited at a bus stop on Penn Street.
She was on her way to school.
Johnson allegedly approached her, threatened her with a gun that he held inside a pocket and forced her to a nearby park, the girl told the court.
Once there, Johnson allegedly ordered her to remove her bra and panties and school uniform skirt.
He allegedly fondled her and demanded that she perform a sex act on him.
She refused and screamed.
As sunlight began to brighten the park and passing cars became more frequent, Johnson ordered the girl to count to 100 as he fled, she testified.
Johnson allegedly took the girl’s skirt and underwear.
She returned to her nearby home and reported the incident to a parent, who called police.
The identity of the alleged attacker remained unknown until early this year when police arrested Johnson in connection with a similar abduction and assault.
The 16-year-old victim was at a SEPTA stop on the 1300 block of Orthodox St. and on her way to school when Johnson allegedly pulled a gun on her and forced her back to his residence.
Johnson allegedly assaulted her sexually and physically throughout the day, tied her to a bed and stuffed her into a large duffel bag. After about 11 hours, he allegedly drove the girl to Wissinoming Park, where he cut her with a knife and demanded sex before she escaped and made it home with the help of a passing motorist.
Police arrested Johnson within hours. The victim in the earlier attack saw his photograph in the news media and recognized him as the man who allegedly had abducted her.
A trial date has not been set. Johnson remains in a Philadelphia prison in lieu of $1 million bail. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com