SKOWHEGAN (AP) — A convicted sex offender accused of sexually assaulting two Maine women in two separate incidents has pleaded not guilty.
The Morning Sentinel reports that 41-year-old Christopher Cates of Bingham was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday on charges including unlawful sexual contact and assault, but the hearing was moved up. He pleaded not guilty last week.
The first assault was reported on May 9. Authorities say Cates assaulted a 60- year-old woman at her Smithfield home after pretending he was interested in a vehicle she had for sale.
Police say a Norridgewock woman told them she was sexually assaulted by Cates last year in Skowhegan.
Cates has convictions for unlawful sexual contact in 1996, 2000 and 2004. He’s a lifetime registrant of the Maine Sex Offender Registry.
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