A Farrell man is in jail awaiting a preliminary hearing after being arrested for his involvement with a 14-year-old Sharon girl, Sharon police said.

Matthew B. Kieper, 31, of 906 Spearman Ave., was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Thursday at home on a warrant for criminal attempt to commit statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors, criminal trespass, kidnapping and interfering with the custody of children, police said. Southwest Mercer County Regional Police assisted Sharon police in arresting Kieper.

Kieper was apparently romantically involved with the girl and the girl's father told Kieper he was not allowed on the family's property, police said.

On Aug. 26 Kieper was caught in the girl's bedroom making sexual advances towards her, police said.

Police said they were supposed to talk to the girl Wednesday but Kieper went to her house and talked the girl into leaving with him before police could interview him.

Kieper was charged with kidnapping even though the girl went with him willingly because she is a minor and because it is illegal for a person to take another person in order to interfere with government or law enforcement functions, police said.

Kieper was arraigned before District Justice James E. McMahon, Sharon, and was taken to Mercer County Jail after failing to post $10,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. Thursday.