Police seek molestation victims Bangor man appears in court on 2 sex charges

BANGOR – Police on Wednesday were seeking possible additional victims of a Bangor man charged with sexually molesting two sisters over the weekend at his Husson Avenue apartment.

Roger Dale Bates, 55, remained at the Penobscot County Jail unable to make bail.

He was arrested Tuesday afternoon at his apartment by Bangor police and charged with two counts of unlawful sexual contact.

Bail was set Wednesday in 3rd District Court in Bangor at $5,000 cash or $50,000 surety. Bates told the judge that he was on disability and would be unable to make bail.

A probable cause hearing in the case was set for Sept. 22. If Bates is indicted by the Penobscot County grand jury before then, the hearing will not be held.

If convicted on both counts, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 on each count.

Through the local media, Bangor police Sgt. Paul Kenison urged children and the parents of children who have had contact with Bates to call him. Detectives working the case suspect there are at least five other possible victims.

Police began investigating Bates on Sunday after a mother brought her two daughters to the police station to file complaints against Bates. The woman told detectives that she had allowed the girls, ages 7 and 12, to spend Friday night at Bates’ apartment, according to court documents. The mother described Bates as the friend of a friend.

In their interviews with detectives, the girls said that Bates took them to a Bangor indoor skate ring Friday night. When they returned to his apartment, Bates allegedly compared the girls’ body parts to groceries, according to court documents.

He also allegedly removed some of their clothing and touched their chests and genitals. Both girls told police that they told Bates to stop, but he refused. When they asked to call their mother to come pick them up, Bates allegedly told them that his cell phone was broken.

Bates again allegedly assaulted them while they were sleeping on the couch in the living room, the girls told detectives, according to the affidavit. He also allegedly told them that he had done the same thing to five other girls.

The sisters also told police that Bates showed them videos of couples having sex. According to court documents, he told the sisters that he had videotaped his touching them, but the alleged victims told police that they did not see a video camera in the apartment and assumed it was hidden.

When Rogers returned the girls to their mother on Saturday, he allegedly offered them each $20 to let him touch them again. They refused, according to court documents. He also allegedly warned them not to tell anyone what had happened at his apartment.

Police seized photographs, videotapes, DVDs and a computer from Bates’ apartment.

If child pornography is found on his computer, Bates’ could face additional charges in federal court.

He also could face subsequent charges in state court if more victims come forward, Kenison said Wednesday.

The detective urged children and the parents of children who have had contact with Bates to call him at 947-7382, ext. 252.