Helena Man Faces Five Felony Counts of Child Sexual Abuse, Bail Set at $100,000

Roland Keith Clark, 47, of Helena, made his initial court appearance Monday facing five felony counts of sexual abuse of children, as Judge Mark Piskolich set bail at $100,000 after investigators concluded that forensic interviews with several alleged young victims were credible.

Clark appeared before Judge Piskolich in Lewis & Clark County Justice Court on March 30, 2026. According to court documents, the alleged abuse spanned several years and involved multiple children, all under the age of 12. Investigators conducted forensic interviews with the alleged victims and deemed those accounts credible. Clark denied the allegations in a separate interview with law enforcement, according to court paperwork.

The $100,000 bail means Clark must post that full amount, or secure a bail bond, to remain free before trial. His arraignment is scheduled for April 21, 2026, in Lewis & Clark County District Court, where prosecutors will formally present the charges and Clark will enter a plea. From there, the case moves through Montana's court process, which could include pretrial motions, discovery, and, depending on the plea, a trial. To protect the identities of the alleged victims, certain details of the case are not being publicly disclosed.

The Lewis & Clark County Children's Advocacy Center, operated through AWARE, Inc., coordinates the county's multidisciplinary response to child abuse reports and provides support for child victims and their families. The center is located at 616 Helena Ave., Suite 305, in Helena. Its main line is (406) 563-8117; a 24-hour crisis line is available at 1-800-481-8980.

Under Montana law, teachers, counselors, medical providers, and a broad range of other professionals are designated as mandated reporters, legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect. Anyone who suspects a child is being harmed can call Montana's Child Abuse Hotline at 1-866-820-5437, operated around the clock by the Children and Family Services Division of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Clark's April 21 arraignment in district court is the next scheduled public proceeding in the case.