ALPENA — Tips from a vigilant community in January led police to a teen accused of sexual assault.

Noah McBride, 18, who appeared in orange inmate garb before a circuit court judge on Monday, was denied a requested reduction in the amount of his bond after the court deemed him a flight risk.

Recently the subject of a Crime Stoppers manhunt, McBride declined to enter a plea Monday as he was arraigned in the 26th Circuit Court. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf by Judge Michael Mack.

McBride had earlier waived his right to a preliminary examination in district court.

McBride is charged with four counts of criminal sexual conduct involving two minor victims. A tip provided to Alpena police led officers to the wanted man after a media blast from Michigan State Police’s Seventh District Fugitive Team asked for the community’s assistance in locating McBride.

At the arraignment — a hearing in which charges are formally presented and the defendant enters a plea — Alpena County Prosecutor Ed Black said DNA evidence linking the defendant to the alleged victim will be presented at the trial. McBride’s attorney indicated his intent to file a motion to suppress the evidence, claiming it was obtained in an inadmissible fashion.

The defense requested a reduction in McBride’s bond, which is currently set at $100,000 cash or surety, claiming the amount is too much of a financial burden on McBride’s family.

Black, countering, reminded the court that McBride is charged with forcible rape, which could lead to a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, and that the defendant was the subject of an MSP search after he didn’t show up for a jury trial in a misdemeanor case.

Mack agreed with the prosecution, denying the motion for a reduced bond.

McBride was formally charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct against a person 13 to 15 years old, one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving force or coercion, and one count of assault to commit sexual penetration.

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693 or jriddle@thealpenanews.com.