SMITHFIELD, Maine — A Bingham man with a history of sex crimes was arrested Wednesday in connection with the May 9 assault of a 60-year-old Smithfield woman, Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said in a news release.
Christopher C. Cates, 41, allegedly assaulted the woman after going to her residence under the premise of inquiring about a vehicle for sale, Lancaster said.
Detective Jeremy Leal, the investigator for crimes against persons, was assigned the case, Lancaster said.
When detectives attempted to speak with Cates he was elusive and an arrest warrant was obtained, the sheriff said. The arrest warrant was for violating conditions of release and unlawful sexual contact.
According to Lancaster, Cates was on conditions of release for an unrelated charge. After several attempts to locate Cates he was arrested Wednesday morning at Skowhegan District Court, where he appeared regarding the unrelated charge.
Cates is currently at the Somerset County Jail awaiting arraignment. He is a lifetime registrant on the Maine Sex Offender Registry and has a history of multiple sex offense convictions, Lancaster said.
Because of his criminal history, Cates’ sex assault charge will be elevated to Class C felony status, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.