BILLINGS, Mont. – A Montana man has been charged with kidnapping, attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault in the abduction of a 4-year-old girl who was playing in a park on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
Fort Peck Tribal Court officials say John Lieba pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail during a Tuesday appearance before Judge Marvin Youpee.
Lieba was apprehended in Wolf Point after being identified by witnesses to the girl's Friday abduction. The girl was found Sunday at an undisclosed location six miles from the abduction site.
FBI special agent Todd Palmer says federal charges against Lieba are anticipated. He says the victim was in a safe location but released no further details.
The Associated Press is withholding the girl's name as a possible victim of sexual assault.
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