Jury convicts Mission man of rape, child sex abuse
JEFF SMITH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 weeks AGO
Christopher Sands
Jeff Smith is news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader. | July 30, 2026 12:00 AM
A St. Ignatius man is facing a maximum 500 years in prison after being convicted of abusing children.
The trial for Christopher Michael Sands, 47, began in Polson District Court on Monday, July 20, and finished with a guilty verdict on all charges a day later, on Tuesday afternoon. The jury convicted Sands on two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual abuse of children.
The two victims were minors at the time of the offenses which occurred between October 2015 and June 2017. He was arrested and charged in August 2025, and released after posting bail of $50,000.
Judge Molly Owen presided over the trial and set sentencing for Oct. 28. Sands was remanded to the Lake County Detention Center until sentencing.
ARTICLES BY JEFF SMITH
Polson woman admits to assault with baseball bat
Talyn Shiloh Bird of Polson admitted to charges stemming from two separate cases against her.
Orozco-Charlo admits to negligent homicide in child's death
A Polson man admitted to charges relating to the death of a child in 2021. Visiting Judge Kaydee N. Snipes-Ruiz of the 12th Judicial District set sentencing for Sept. 11.
Polson man admits to keying truck, causing $5,000 in damage
A Polson man admitted to vandalizing a vehicle, causing more than $5,000 in damages.