Delphi man charged with murder in killings of Libby German and Abby Williams

DELPHI, Indiana – After an anxious weekend of waiting – and more than five years after their killings – multiple law enforcement agencies on Monday morning announced an arrest in the murders of Libby German and Abby Williams.

Doug Carter, superintendent of the Indiana State Police, announced Richard Allen, 50, of Delphi has been charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Libby and Abby. Carter added the probable cause affidavit remains sealed.

Allen remains in the White County jail, according to the ISP.

Carter said that the investigation continues to possibly uncover any other individuals involved in the girls' killings. The superintendent thanked the families as well as those in law enforcement who sought justice for Libby and Abby, including those who delayed retirement in the hopes of solving the case.

"I hope you have found a bit of peace in this complicated world," Carter said.

Additional information will be released, Carter added, but "today is not that day. This investigation is far from complete and we will not jeopardize its integrity by releasing information before it's time."

The superintendent reminded those attending and listening remotely to the press conference to continue sending any information related to the case – about Allen or any other individual – to the tip line set up years ago: Call 1-844-459-5786; or email abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com.

Delphi murders:What we know and don't know 5 years after Abby and Libby were killed

Carter, who sniffled several times during his announcement, addressed the sealed affidavit and the limited details released Monday.

"If you choose to be critical of our silence, be critical of me, not the frontline. These are folks who have devoted their entire lives to a conclusion. In other words, a guilty verdict."

After nearly six years, the arrest pointed to someone within the Delphi community, a detail Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland found "bittersweet," he said.

McLeland was pressed during the limited Q&A period following the arrest announcement why the affidavit would remain sealed for 30 days.

"It is unusual," McLeland said. "We don't do it very often, in all the cases we handle here in Carroll County. We did it in this case because the investigation is still open. And while all cases are important, the nature of this case has some extra scrutiny in it. So we, my office, me, felt it was important to seal those records."

McLeland added that there would be a public hearing on whether those records would remain sealed.

"We would like to thank everyone who was involved throughout this investigation," stated Sgt. Jeremy Piers, public information officer with the ISP, in a release, "which included the Indiana State Police, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Delphi Police Department, Carroll County Prosecutor’s office, United States Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and numerous other federal and local agencies."

On Friday, the Indiana State Police along with the Carroll County Sheriff's Department announced a press conference would be held Monday in Delphi, where the teens were found killed Feb. 14, 2017, after hiking the trails east of Delphi.

Family members expressed on social media the significance of the announcement, including Kelsi German, Libby's older sister, who ended a tweet Friday by saying, "Today is the day."

Bodies found Valentine's Day

A day off from school Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, an unusually warm day, for Indiana winters, found the teens planning a hike after a sleepover the night before at Libby's house. That Monday afternoon, the two ventured onto around the Monon High Bridge, which spans Deer Creek.

Lafayette mayor: 'Incredibly sad time,' offers prayers to Delphi community as arrest made

When the the girls did not show up for their ride home, Libby's family became concerned and family members started a search that was joined by many in the Delphi community.

The search continued Tuesday morning, Valentine's Day, along the trails and the creek. A search party found Libby and Abby's bodies along the Deer Creek, about a quarter of a mile east of the Monon High Bridge. The land where the girls were killed was owned by Ron Logan.

Previously:Possible suspect in Delphi murders on police radar since the killings

Police had suspected Logan initially because his alibi of his location on the afternoon of Feb. 13, 2017, did not ring true, according to search warrant probable causes confirmed in May to be authentic.

Logan was later arrested for violating his probation and sent to prison to serve a suspended sentence. He has since died.

HLN reports: HLN reports: ISP told man 'anthony_shots' profile was last communication with Libby

Days after the killings, police released photos of a sketch of a possible suspect, but two years later, police released a second sketch of a possible suspect. The two sketches were strikingly different.

Police explained that the second sketch was based on additional information and more refined than the initial sketch.

This story is developing and will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Delphi man arrested in killings of Libby German, Abby Williams