Charlo man charged with viewing child sex abuse material
JEFF SMITH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 1 week AGO
David Fitzpatrick
Jeff Smith is news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader. | September 10, 2026 12:00 AM
A Charlo man, accused of viewing child sex abuse material (CSAM), appeared in Polson District Court Sept 2 for an arraignment hearing. David Fitzpatrick, 80, entered a plea of not guilty to sexual abuse of children.
According to court records, on July 6, a detective with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received information from authorities in Sanders County regarding a sex abuse search of electronic data linked to a Charlo address. Authorities in Lake County obtained a search warrant that was executed at the Charlo address on Aug 12.
The search led to the images and the record indicates that more charges could possibly be filed. Investigators say they also found a sex toy and a “female doll.”
Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial on Feb. 1. She also set a cash bond of $10,000. If Fitzpatrick is able to post bond, Owen stipulated that he would be required to wear a GPS monitoring device.
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