Upper Yoder man charged with rape of child

A Johnstown-area man in jail for escaping police now faces a felony charge accused of raping an 8-year-old child last month, authorities said.

Upper Yoder Township police have charged Mikel Gwinn, 29, of the 100 block of Wilshire Boulevard with rape, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault, aggravated indecent assault with a person under 13 years of age , indecent assault and corruption of minors.

Gwinn allegedly assaulted the child on Oct. 5, according to an affidavit.

Gwinn is also accused of displaying the child pornography images on his cell phone.

A forensic interview with the child was conducted on October 16 at the Circle of Support Child Advocacy Center in Richland Township.

State parole officers, U.S. Marshals and state police were hunting Gwinn for a state parole violation when they found him Oct. 17 at Camoset Village Mobile Home Park in Upper Yoder Township.

He was handed over to municipal police for questioning in the rape case when he escaped, sparking a four-hour manhunt involving city and suburban police.

Cambria County sheriff’s deputies found Gwinn hiding in the 500 block of 700 Place in the Moxham section of Johnstown. He was charged with escape.

Gwinn was arraigned on rape charges Wednesday by Upper Yoder Township District Judge Susan Gindlesperger.

He was taken back to Cambria County Prison in Ebensburg, where he is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Patrick Buchnowski is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 532-5061. Follow him on Twitter @PatBuchnowskiTD.