The man accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from Moreau Lake State Park will be arraigned on the indictment on Friday.

Information about what the grand jury found will also be released.

Craig Ross Jr. was initially charged with kidnapping after police found him and the girl he’s accused of abducting.

Our legal expert, Paul DerOhannesian, a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor, said Thursday afternoon the ransom note that Ross is alleged to have left at the little girl’s home is likely central to the indictment.

“The ransom note is very significant in terms of the level of the crime. It’s what raises a kidnapping from a B felony to an A felony, where the defendant faces life imprisonment from a minimum of 15 to 25 years,” he said.

DerOhannesian went on to say that the note led investigators to the suspect by finding the fingerprint, so it is a very important part of the case.  

“It’s what raises his exposure and the level of crime.”

Kidnapping without ransom carries a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison. A ransom note increases the potential sentence up to life imprisonment.

NewsChannel 13’s Mark Mulholland will be in court for Friday’s arraignment and will have updates on WNYT.com and our later newscasts.