Man re-arrested outside court for violating judge's order

A man who was convicted Wednesday of indecent exposure was arrested on a new charge for allegedly assaulting one of his victims just 50 feet from the courtroom.

"I don't know of it ever happening any quicker," Justice of the Peace David Ortley said of the re-arrest. "It was amazing."

Curt Christiansen, 41, was charged with indecent exposure in 2004 and went to trial for that Wednesday.

He denied going into the bedroom of a couple who lived in his Whitefish house and performing a lewd act while they slept. The 21-year-old woman was reportedly awakened by his activity, discovered Christiansen on his knees by the side of the bed, and later called police.

At trial before Ortley, Christiansen said he had entered the couple's bedroom to get a cigarette lighter from their nightstand. He said there was a reason why he crawled into the room on his hands and knees, wearing just a bathrobe, to retrieve the lighter, and then crawled out.

"I understand there are different views of the truth," Ortley said. "It was very apparent his view of things was completely fabricated."

Ortley told Christiansen he didn't believe him and convicted him of the misdemeanor. He sentenced Christiansen to 30 days in jail, followed by five months suspended. Ortley ordered Christiansen to undergo a sex-offender evaluation and follow any recommendations. He was not to have any contact with the victims or witnesses.

Christiansen told Ortley he wanted a lawyer, and the judge gave him until Aug. 11 to begin serving his jail sentence so that he could file an appeal with the help of an attorney.

Christiansen then left the courtroom.

"Within 35 seconds, he violated" the conditions of the sentence, said prosecuting Deputy County Attorney Tammi Fisher.

Christiansen reportedly caught up with one of his victims, smacked him on the back and said, "Thanks for ruining my life."

Sheriff's deputy Dave Kauffman, who had testified in the trial, arrested Christiansen and took him to jail.

Fisher said she will charge Christiansen with assault and will file a motion to revoke the suspended portion of his sentence on the indecent-exposure charge.

Ortley said Christiansen may also be charged with contempt of court for violating the judge's sentencing order not to have contact with the victims.

Fisher said Christiansen's first conviction "was a testament to the victim, who came in two years later to testify" instead of just letting the matter go away and to Kauffman, who "did a good job testifying."

Ortley said Christiansen will appear again before him today on the new assault charge.