Police: Cohoes man raped 15-year-old girl he met online

A Cohoes man is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl in Ulster County.

State Police said Benjamin Randall, 22, met the teen on a social media site on March 21. They spoke online for several weeks, and she agreed to meet up with Randall after school, investigators said.

Randall picked her up and droved to secluded area and sexually assaulted her, police said. He then returned to the school to drop her off.

Randall was charged with third-degree rape and third-degree criminal sex act. He was arraigned in Town of Marbletown Court. Bail was set at $10,000 cash or bond. An order-of-protection was issued for the victim.

Anyone with information about the case of the suspect is asked to contact State Police in Middletown at 845-344-5300.