Johnstown, NY (WRGB) — A late-night check of a suspicious vehicle parked near a popular Johnstown rail trail spot led to the arrest of a man now facing felony rape and child endangerment charges involving a 16-year-old girl, according to police.
On Oct. 23, 2026, at about 1:44 a.m., a member of the Patrol Division spotted a suspicious vehicle parked in the Rail Trail lot near the intersection of West Montgomery Street and Chestnut Street, an area more commonly referred to as “Frog Hollow.” When the officer approached, two people were inside the vehicle.
Police said a man got out of the driver’s side and identified himself as Brian Frye, initially denying anyone else was in the vehicle. Officers later made contact with a 16-year-old girl in the passenger seat.
Investigators said neither were initially ‘forthcoming’ and both provided “demonstrably false information.” After continued interviews, police said verbal admissions were made that Frye intended to smoke marijuana with the teen. He was taken into custody on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child, transported to the station without incident, and the teen was taken back to her home and turned over to a parent.
Police said further questioning led to admissions that Frye had engaged in a sexual relationship with the underage girl at a previous date and location, and that he had also sent explicit photographs to the victim electronically.
Frye was held and arraigned in Johnstown City Court, where he was remanded to the Fulton County Correctional Facility with no bail, police said.
Charges listed against Frye include:
- One count of PL 235.22, disseminating indecent material to minors in the first degree
- Two counts of PL 130.25(4) and PL 130.25(5), rape in the third degree
- One count of PL 260.10, endangering the welfare of a child
Source: cbs6albany.com
