Post by Scumhunter on Jul 8, 2021 0:52:54 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: whidbeynewstimes.com)
From whidbeynewstimes.com:
An Oak Harbor man accused of molesting multiple children on numerous occasions is wanted on a $100,000 arrest warrant with nationwide extradition, according to court documents.
Michael Cheatham, 39, is accused of violating a court order regarding where he is supposed to be living pending trial and failed to appear at a court hearing June 30, court documents state.
Prosecutors charged Cheatham in Island County Superior Court Jan. 22 with two counts of child molestation in the first degree, two counts of child molestation in the second degree and indecent liberties.
Two of the child molestation charges were filed as domestic violence crimes with an aggravating factor, alleging the crimes were part of ongoing pattern of sexual abuse of victims under the age of 18 years manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time.
Cheatham is accused of sexually assaulting four girls in 2015 through 2019, the charges state. He allegedly sexually abused girls younger than 12 years old, court documents indicate.
Cheatham admitted to a detective that he had molested two children on one occasion but denied doing more, the detective’s report states.
Court documents indicate that Cheatham also allegedly “groomed” other girls for abuse.
This week, Deputy Prosecutor Michael Safstrom noted in court that a condition of Cheatham’s release prior to trial was that he live at a home identified in court papers and was not allowed to move without permission from the court.
Safstrom said he discovered that Cheatham moved in the middle of the night and his whereabouts are unknown.
Safstrom asked for an arrest warrant and Judge Christon Skinner agreed.
If convicted of the charges against him, Cheatham could face up to 16.5 years in prison under the standard sentencing range.
A judge could impose an exceptional sentence beyond the standard range if he is convicted of the charges with aggravating factors.
www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/accused-child-molester-wanted-on-100k-warrant/
Thoughts? As of this posting date (July 8th, 2021), a search of Washington State's Odyssey court records still shows the case status as "on warrant":
odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov/ODYPORTAL/Home/WorkspaceMode?p=0
Also, I am breaking my own rule in that I normally don't post cases unless it is explicitly stated the public is being asked to helped and phone numbers or tip sites/apps are provided in articles. However, this case is so disgusting and it is so outrageous that Cheatham was free to escape in the first place (not allowed to move without permission, was there even an ankle monitor which granted he could have cut off anyway or was there not even that and they really did expect him to politely ask if he can move facing 16.5 years in prison at the bare minimum?) that I felt the need to post this case. So as far as tips go, I guess you can always contact your local police or Crime Stoppers line. Or since Cheatham is wanted out of Island County Washington, perhaps their Sheriff's Office.
www.islandcountywa.gov/Sheriff/Pages/Home.aspx
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