Captured escape suspect charged with rape of a girl under 13, officials say

A Johnstown man who escaped custody and was later captured in Cambria County is now facing charges for raping a young girl, authorities report.

Mikel Gwinn, 29, was charged with raping a victim under 13 years old, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of a minor and other felony charges, according to a criminal complaint.

Authorities report they received a tip that an 8-year-old child was sexually assaulted by Gwinn in Upper Yoder Township sometime between Oct. 5 and 6. In the criminal complaint, police report that the victim said she was visiting the residence where Gwinn was staying when the sexual assault occurred.

Upper Yoder police said Gwinn was in custody for the rape investigation when he escaped on Oct. 17. He was later taken into custody in Johnstown, and is now facing charges for escaping, according to the criminal complaint.

Gwinn is currently in the Cambria County Prison. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 13.