Kidnapping Suspect Returned To Wyoming

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — A Montana man suspected of abducting and assaulting an 11-year-old girl has been returned to Cody, Wyo., to face charges.

Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin announced Wednesday evening that 39-year-old Jesse Paul Speer of Manhattan had been transported from the Gallatin County jail to Wyoming to face charges.

Prosecutors allege Speer forced the Cody girl into his SUV at gunpoint on Oct. 8 then assaulted and abandoned her outside of town. The girl was found by hunters driving through the mountainous area.

Speer was arrested Saturday in Belgrade. He waived extradition during a court hearing in Bozeman on Monday.

Speer and his former wife lived in Colorado for about five years before moving to Montana in 2008.