UPDATE: 3:00 pm, January 15th, 2021 -Cole Bates, who ran from law enforcement after sentencing on Friday, has been taken into custody, per the Missoula County Sheriff's Office.
ORIGINAL POST: 12:45 pm, January 15th, 2021 - The Missoula County Sheriff's Office is searching for a man who fled from law enforcement after being sentenced in a Missoula courtroom on Friday morning.
Deputies are now attempting to locate Cole Bates who is considered to be dangerous, according to. the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. Anyone who sees Bates should call 9-1-1 immediately.
Bates is described as 5'7", 165 lbs. brown hair and blue eyes. He is wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with the word KING on the front and a crown in white with black jeans. He may be in handcuffs and would appear handcuffed when facing him.
Due to the charge and sentencing, Bates is considered dangerous. Bates arrived for Missoula District Court of his own free will and was sentenced to 10 years on an assault with a weapon charge.
Following sentencing, Bates was escorted to a patrol vehicle to be transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. According to the Sheriff's Office, when the officer attempted to place him in the patrol vehicle Bates broke free and fled on foot towards the Orange Street Bridge.
