A Bingham man with multiple sexual assault convictions over two decades has been arrested and released on bail twice in a week on unlawful sexual contact charges.

Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said Friday he is concerned that Christopher Carl Cates, 41, is not in jail and that there might be more victims who have not come forward.

Cates pleaded not guilty last week to charges of unlawful sexual contact and violating conditions of release in connection with a case in Smithfield in which he allegedly touched a woman inappropriately while looking at a car she had for sale.

A Norridgewock woman who saw his picture in the media called police after that arrest and reported that he had assaulted her in August, Lancaster said.

Cates was arrested a second time Thursday on charges of unlawful sexual contact and assault related to that case, but was released on bail Friday.

“I am extremely frustrated and concerned about public safety given that we cannot keep Cates incarcerated,” Lancaster said.

District Attorney Maeghan Maloney said Friday the bail for Cates for both recent cases – $5,000 cash or $50,000 surety – was high for a misdemeanor.

Cates is a lifetime registrant of the Maine Sex Offender Registry and has at least three convictions for unlawful sexual contact, according to Morning Sentinel archives. A complete criminal history was not available Friday.