Police: Sex offender attacked girl on rail trail

A sex offender wanted in two states attacked a girl on a rail trail in Johnstown, investigators said.

The incident happened on Sunday, Sept. 22 at around 7 p.m. on the rail trail between West Main Street and West Montgomery Street. Paul Joseph Benoit, of Louisiana, threatened her with a weapon and to kill her if she did not remain quiet, police said.

She was able to fight off Benoit and ran to a friend’s home to call police. The girl was able to provide a detailed description of the suspect. Patrol officers searched the area and interviewed witnesses, police said.

The investigation led police to Benoit, and he was arrested on Friday.

Benoit is a Level 3 sex offender, the highest risk to reoffend. He is wanted by Louisiana and Missouri.

Benoit was charged with unlawful imprisonment, third-degree assault, forcible touching, endangering the welfare of a child and failing to register a change of an address. He was held for arraignment at Johnstown City Court.