New Jersey Devils prospect Ben Johnson charged with sexual assault

Winger Ben Johnson was drafted in the third round, 90th overall by the Devils in 2012. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

UPDATE: Johnson faces charges revolving around two separate incidents. The second involves a 20-year-old woman who came forward as the investigation into the case of the 16-year-old victim was underway.

The Windsor Star is reporting that bail has been posted and Johnson will be released from jail shortly.

The paper reported last night that Johnson "is banned from drinking alcohol, going to bars, possessing weapons and entering Essex County except for court appearances and legal matters after a two-day period to collect his things and arrange his affairs. He is also banned from contacting more than a dozen witnesses, some of whom are fellow Spitfires."

Just days after a pair of American high school football players were convicted of rape, Ben Johnson, a 2012 draft pick of the New Jersey Devils, faces charges of sexual assault in the wake of a St. Patrick's Day incident with a 16-year-old girl.

Johnson appeared in provincial court in Windsor, Ontario today via video and was arraigned.

The 18-year-old Michigan native finished his second season with the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires on Sunday afternoon, then attended an end-of-season gathering with other Spits at the Mynt night club where the assault is alleged to have taken place. Police were called to a local hospital around 2:00 a.m. this morning and they arrested Johnson shortly thereafter.

The Spitfires issued a statement late this afternoon. “Earlier today our organization was made aware of accusations involving a player on our hockey team. Our organization will allow the legal process to run its due course at this time. The team will have no further comment.”