Man charged for sexual assault of two children

A Kalispell man was jailed Wednesday for allegedly assaulting two young children while they played in Lawrence Park in August.

Authorities say the offense is the latest in a string of incidents where Christopher Malson targeted young children for sexual gratification.

Malson, 26, is set to be arraigned Oct. 2. He is being held on $85,000 bond.

According to court documents, two sisters, ages 3 and 5, were playing in the park on Aug. 18 when a man stepped from behind a tree and asked them to play with a “toy” as he exposed himself and asked them to touch him intimately.

In a forensic investigation conducted by the Kalispell Police Department, the older girl gave a description and drew a picture of male genitalia. The child also identified Malson from a photo lineup.

It is not the first time Malson allegedly exposed himself.

“He has been arrested on one occasion last year for multiple accounts,” Kalispell Police Sgt. Myron Wilson said.

Two misdemeanor indecent exposure charges are pending against Malson in Kalispell Municipal Court, with one additional misdemeanor of disorderly conduct also charged.

All involve alleged sexual acts involving children.

According to court documents, Malson’s exposure spree began on Feb. 5, 2014, when a 14-year-old girl walked past Malson’s home. Malson got the girl’s attention by knocking on his window and exposing himself.

On April 3, 2014, four young children, including two 9-year-old girls, said they were walking in Kalispell, stopped to inspect a fire hydrant wrapped with a T-shirt, and heard loud banging on the window of a house. They looked up and allegedly saw Malson pull down his pants and make a rude gesture with his middle finger.

On May 2, Malson asked one of the 9-year-old girls to get in his car as she was walking home from school.

On April 21, Malson allegedly pulled up to an 11-year-old girl walking home from school and told her, “Come here. I’d like to see you naked.”

Malson was arrested on Jan. 8 this year. He posted $2,000 bond and was released from jail on Jan. 9. He pleaded not guilty on Jan. 22. A Dec. 8 omnibus hearing will determine a trial date.

Reporter Megan Strickland may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.