SARANAC LAKE — A former Samaritan House resident has been charged with sexually assaulting another unhoused resident of the transitional housing center in July.

On Sept. 1, village police charged Bruce C. Gates, 48, of Saranac Lake with first-degree criminal sexual act by forcible compulsion and first-degree sexual abuse, both felonies, as well as second-degree unlawful imprisonment, sexual misconduct and forcible touching, all misdemeanors, and second-degree harassment, a violation.

Saranac Lake Police Department Chief Darin Perrotte said Gates was a resident of Samaritan House at the time. His officers had worked on the case for more than a month after another resident of Samaritan House reported the alleged crimes in late July.

The arrest was the result of an “extensive investigation,” he said. Several parties had ties to Malone — Gates, the alleged victim and other unhoused witnesses. Perrotte said Malone Police assisted with collecting statements in Malone.

Gates was living in Malone when the Harrietstown Town Court issued a warrant for his arrest Aug. 31.

Perrotte said Malone village police and New York State Police made the arrest and brought him to SLPD, where he was arraigned and remanded to Franklin County Jail.

According to the victim notification network VINELink, Gates was released from custody by a court order on Sept. 6. Perrotte said an order of protection had been issued for the alleged victim and that Gates is on probation and required to check in with a probation officer.

The Samaritan House house manager was not immediately available for comment.