CHICO, Calif. — The Butte County Superior Court (BCSC) announced that a registered sex offender appeared in court on Monday on child molestation and gun charges stemming from a Chico Police Department arrest in early August.
Christopher Carter, 58, was arrested by the CPD detectives following an investigation into allegations that Carter had sexually abused an 11-year-old child while in his care.
Butte County District Attorney (BCDA) Mike Ramsey said the investigation began in July when the child disclosed to a parent that, while at Carter’s Chico home, Carter had touched the child inappropriately. The investigation found that the child frequently spent the night at Carter’s home because Carter was living with the child’s grandmother.
The investigation led to an arrest warrant for Carter and search warrants for evidence related to the incident. Ramsey said Carter was in the process of moving from Chico to Oroville at the time. Authorities searched both homes and seized evidence connected to the investigation, along with a firearm Carter was prohibited from possessing because of a prior felony conviction.
Carter had previously been convicted in 2014 on multiple sex offenses involving a minor in a case prosecuted by the BCDA. Carter was sentenced to 5 years and 8 months in state prison in December of 2014.
In August 2018, Carter was released from prison on parole. . Because of his previous conviction, he remained under parole supervision and was not scheduled to complete parole until 2028.
Under California’s “One Strike” law, Carter faces a 25-year-to-life sentence.
On Aug. 10, 2026, a Butte County judge ordered Carter to remain in custody at the Butte County Jail on a no-bail hold.
Carter’s next court date is Aug. 12, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.
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