LEWISTON – Jeremy McCown, the 22-year-old Lewiston man accused of snatching one girl and attempting to lure others into his car last month, was indicted Wednesday on five criminal charges.

The Androscoggin County grand jury indicted the Lewiston man on charges of kidnapping, criminal restraint and three counts of assault.

McCown, who was dishonorably discharged from the Army just a month ago, remained jailed Wednesday night.

Police say on Aug. 29, McCown drove around the Lewiston Middle School attempting to get 13-old-girls into his car.

According to the indictment, one girl was pulled into McCown’s car where she was restrained and subjected to fondling and sexual comments.

That accusation resulted in the kidnapping charge filed by police and handed down by the grand jury.

McCown was also indicted on a charge of criminal restraint for allegedly forcing the girl to remain in his car against her protests.

The indictment alleges that McCown’s intent was to inflict injury on the girl or subject her to sexual assault.

The assault charges stem from allegations that McCown intentionally caused injury to that girl and that he twice tried to force another girl into his car.

Lewiston police said they caught McCown because they had received reports he had been circling near the Middle School a day before attempting to pick up teenage girls.

Officers were sent to the Central Avenue area in marked and unmarked cars the following day. After learning that McCown was seen driving in the area – and after hearing more reports of abductions and attempted abductions – police found McCown and arrested him.

He has remained at the Androscoggin County Jail since. The kidnapping charge alone could garner McCown up to 40 years in prison.

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