SKOWHEGAN, Maine — The Somerset County sheriff expressed concern Friday that a man charged recently in connection with two separate sexual assaults may have victimized more women.
Sheriff Dale Lancaster in a press release Friday urged women who may have been victims of Christopher C. Cates, 41, of Bingham to come forward. The sheriff said Cates is required to register for life as a sex offender because of multiple convictions of sex charges.
Cates was arrested Friday and charged with unlawful sexual contact and assault after a 48-year-old Norridgewock woman reported an incident that allegedly happened last year. She came forward last month, two days after Cates’ May 25 arrest after a similar crime was publicized.
The alleged assault on a 60-year-old woman in Smithfield led to Cates being charged last month was reported May 9, the press release said. In that case, he was charged with unlawful sexual contact.
Cates was released on bail after his arrests, Lancaster said Friday.
He is next scheduled to appear before a judge on July 6 at the Somerset County Courthouse in Skowhegan.
If convicted, Cates faces up to five years in prison because of his prior criminal history on each sex charge and could be fined up to $5,000 on each count.
Individuals who believe they have been sexually assaulted by Cates are asked to call Detective Jeremy Leal at 858-9531.
To reach a sexual assault advocate, call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line at 800-871-7741, TTY 888-458-5599. This free and confidential 24-hour service is accessible from anywhere in Maine. Calls are automatically routed to the closest sexual violence service provider.