Libby child molester accused of violating release terms

A convicted child molester from Libby is facing more state supervision following an accusation he violated the terms of his release from custody.

In 2009, Christopher Michael Haines, 42, of Libby was given a maximum 20-year sentence, with 15 years suspended, for sexually molesting his young son.

Haines was paroled in October 2013. He received a conditional discharge from supervision in September 2023. He was designated a Tier II offender.

But on Feb. 3, 2025, a petition to revoke was filed in the Lincoln County District Court by Deputy Attorney Jeffrey Zwang. The petition is based upon a violation letter from Probation Officer Kate Darnell to Zwang.

Darnell explained in her letter, dated Jan. 31, a formal complaint was made to Partnership Health Center in Missoula about Haines. The complaint said Haines was working at the facility and was present during an appointment in which a minor-age boy was naked.

Additionally, Haines’ desk was also immediately next to the suite where children are seen for appointments. These violated Haines’ release conditions. Those said Haines could not work in a job that places him near his victim class.

He accepted a position as a medical assistant, which gave him access to minors.

Darnell also wrote that it appeared Partnership Health Center is enabling this behavior or is naive to what his conditions state.

Haines appeared in Lincoln County District Court Monday in a hearing on the petition to revoke his original sentence, but Judge Matt Cuffe stopped it after Haines appeared to have reservations about admitting to the alleged violations.

Haines said he was asked to shadow his supervisor at work, which led to the incident in question. Zwang indicated the state would only seek a return to supervision for Haines.

Ultimately, Cuffe decided to continue the hearing until a later date, which wasn't determined Monday.

At Haines’ sentencing in 2009, Dr. James Myers spoke for the defense, recommending that Haines receive outpatient sex offender treatment, while the victim’s stepfather spoke for the state.

In a last attempt to gain leniency, Haines testified to being a victim of sexual abuse, detailing separate occasions of childhood abuse by two teenage boys and a babysitter.

District Court Judge Michael Prezeau was unsympathetic when he sentenced Haines, requiring the accused to complete phases one and two of the state’s sex offender program before being released. 

At the time, onlookers were visibly stunned and Haines’s family wept.

“I’m shocked,” said the victim’s mother. “I didn’t think it would be as long. It’s kind of nice that justice was served.”

Haines was arrested in October 2008 for molesting his 5-year-old son sometime in June or July of last year. When interviewed by police, Haines admitted to sexual misconduct in a “moment of weakness.”

Haines is scheduled to be seen in Lincoln County District Court March 3.