By Pete Soyer
Havre police have received many leads about the possible location of an accused child molester, but none of have led to his arrest. But police don't believe he poses a danger to the community.
Authorities have been looking for Charles L. Nottingham, 60, since he violated conditions of his release from jail last month and apparently left the area, police said.
Assistant Police Chief Mark Stolen said today that police "learned some places he could've been," but no other progress has been made. Havre police released Nottingham's photograph and details about the charge against him on Tuesday while asking for the public's help to locate him.
Nottingham was arrested by Havre police on June 12 and formally charged two days later with felony sexual assault. A $50,000 bond was set at that time.
Nottingham is accused of sexually molesting an 8-year-old girl, according to court documents.
He was released from jail on June 20 under several conditions, including that he remain in contact with his attorney and stay at a residence in Blaine County. Nottingham was not allowed to travel out of Blaine County, other than to see his attorney, unless he first obtained a travel permit from the Hill County Attorney's Office.
Authorities found his vehicle in Billings on June 23 containing a note in which he threatened to hurt himself and his accusers, police said.
Stolen said Nottingham, who contributed an occasional column on gun safety to the Havre Daily News, had weapons but they were ordered confiscated after he was arrested.
The "judge issued an order to have his weapons taken away," Stolen said.
"We don't think Nottingham is a danger to the community. He needs to be picked up and gotten under the control of the court system," the assistant chief said.
Stolen said police think Nottingham has been back to Havre and that he may come back again. He has ties in the community that will draw him back, Stolen said.
The possibility of Nottingham returning is the reason police want the community to know he is a "fugitive from justice," Stolen said.
A warrant for his re-arrest was issued on June 25.
"When the community knows we want him, they'll let us know when he's here," Stolen said.
Anyone with information can contact Havre police at 265-4361, Hill County Sheriff's Office at 265-2512 or Crimestoppers at 265-4444.
