Judge Molly Owen set a trial date of Feb. 2, 2026, for two men, accused in separate matters of assaulting children.

Christopher Michael Sands, 46, entered a plea of not guilty to five counts of sexual abuse, with the victim under the age of 16. Court records indicate the alleged abuse occurred in St. Ignatius in 2015 and in 2017.

Separately and unrelated, Dayton Ray Best, 18, entered a plea of not guilty to sexual abuse of a child. The charges stem from an incident in Arlee in July when Best allegedly showed a minor inappropriate photos.

Sands remains in custody with bail set at $50,000; Best is being held on $75,000 bail.