The Fort Carson soldier arrested after investigators connected his vehicle to a July kidnapping and sexual assault in Quail Lake Park waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday to continue ongoing plea deal negotiations.

Caden Meade, 19, was charged with felony kidnapping, sexual assault and menacing, alongside assault and harassment misdemeanor counts, court records show. His July 16 arrest came over a week after the alleged assault at the popular Colorado Springs lake.

Affidavit says Fort Carson soldier confessed sexual assault to detective

According to Meade’s arrest affidavit, the victim of the alleged assault told police that Meade said she just “got picked” and it was “natural selection.” Meade allegedly denied the crimes initially, but later opened up to detectives and detailed the assault, previous Gazette reporting states.

Meade appeared in custody from El Paso County jail, where he remains on a no-bond hold, for his short Tuesday hearing, cuffed at the wrists. His defense attorney, Theodore McClintock, informed the court his client would be waiving the evidentiary hearing — which would have allowed prosecutors to introduce new details of the alleged crime.

Records provided to The Gazette by Fort Carson officials indicate that Meade is a mechanic in the 4th Infantry Division’s artillery unit. He arrived at the Army base in June 2024 and became a private on June 16 this year.

Meade’s next appearance in a 4th Judicial District courtroom is scheduled for Oct. 20.

According to previous Gazette coverage, police had reason to believe other victims may be out there due to Meade’s “suspicious” driving activities around the time of the July assault. Anyone with information of the incident or any additional victims are encouraged to call police at 719-444-7000.