Grand jury indicts man of kidnapping, assault on Colville Indian Reservation

A man who lives on the Colville Indian Reservation appeared Thursday after he was indicted this week on six counts, including kidnapping and attacking a woman last September on the reservation.

Stephen A. Seymour pleaded not guilty Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Rodgers. According to the court file, Seymour was officially charged this week stemming from an attack that occurred over two days starting on Sept. 17 somewhere on the Colville Indian Reservation.

According to the charging documents, Seymour held a woman, who was only identified by initials, against her will. In addition to the kidnapping charge, a federal grand jury also charged Seymour with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. One count involved a knife and the second involved pointing a gun at the victim, court records state.

Seymour also was charged with assault resulting in serious bodily harm and two counts of assault by strangling or attempt to strangle. Seymour faces up to life in prison if he is convicted of the kidnapping charge.

Rodgers appointed a federal public defender to represent Seymour but did not immediately set a new hearing date. He ordered Seymour to remain in custody pending further court proceedings.