Devils farmhand Ben Johnson found guilty in sexual assault case

WINDSOR, Ontario -- New Jersey Devils farmhand Ben Johnson was found guilty Thursday of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in the washroom of a Windsor bar in March 2013.

Justice Kirk Munroe delivered the guilty verdict against Johnson, 22, in a nearly three-hour ruling. The former Windsor Spitfires junior player was released under his current bail conditions until Friday, when Munroe is to rule if he'll be placed in custody pending sentencing.

Later Thursday, the Devils said they had initiated the process to terminate Johnson's contract.

Johnson, from Calumet, Michigan, split time last season with the Albany Devils in the AHL and the Adirondack Thunder in the ECHL.