Police have arrested a suspect in connection to the 2017 murders of Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German, two teenage girls who were found slain on the Delphi Historic Trails in Indiana more than five years ago.
Richard M. Allen was charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Williams, 13, and German, 14, on Oct. 28, according to the Indiana State Police. The 50-year-old was transported to White County Jail, where he remains without bond, per a press release.
In an Oct. 31 press conference, Carroll County prosecutor Nicholas McLeland said Allen entered a preliminary plea of not guilty during his initial hearing. While a judge "did find probable cause for arrest," McLeland noted that authorities "haven't closed the door on the investigation" and the case is "still very ongoing."
"It's concerning that he's a local guy," McLeland told reporters. "This is the first step into getting into court and having a trial."
He added that charging documents have been temporarily sealed since "the nature of this case has some extra scrutiny with it."
A pre-trial date has been set for Jan. 13, 2023, with trial slated to start on March 20, 2023.
Officials involved in the case have never publicly released details on how Williams and German died. According to authorities, the teens were murdered on Feb. 13, 2017, while visiting the Monon High Bridge on the Delphi Historic Trail. Their bodies were found in a wooded area near the trail on the following day, after their parents reported them missing when they failed to meet up at their arranged pick-up location.
While speaking to reporters on Oct. 31, Indiana State Police superintendent Doug Carter said Allen's arrest is "a major step in leading to a conclusion in this long term and complex investigation."
He added, "Since the murders of Abby and Libby 2,086 days ago, the daily investigative team has worked tirelessly and is certainly worthy of mention today."
Attorney information for Allen was not immediately available to E! News.