Convicted sexual offender John Walter Sam was released from a British Columbia corrections facility on Tuesday and has returned to Whitehorse.
The 42-year-old First Nations man, who has a history of disguising himself as a woman, is considered a high risk to re-offend against women and children, according to an RCMP release.
“As Sam poses a moderate to high risk of reoffending, the RCMP has decided to release a public notification to raise community awareness and enhance community safety,” reads the release issued Monday.
Sam has 24 convictions on his record, including those for raping two children, aged seven and 14.
In the summer of 2001, Sam moved to Whitehorse after being released on probation from a federal penitentiary.
He was arrested again and during his trial in November 2002 he was deemed a “long-term offender” and sentenced to 25 months in prison for sexual interference, and an additional two months for escaping custody.
As a long-term offender, Sam is subject to a long-term supervision order and will be under strict National Parole Board supervision until 2016, according to the RCMP release.
Sam was last released from prison in February 2005, only to be arrested in Whitehorse five months later for breeching his conditions.
In February 2006, he had an additional 12 months tacked onto his sentence for escaping lawful custody.
Under the terms of his current 10-year supervision order, Sam must follow strict conditions set by the National Parole Board to avoid going back to jail.
He is to live at the Adult Resource Centre and abide by its rules, like meeting its curfew.
He must follow psychological counseling and participate in the community sex offender program.
He is not to dress as a woman.
He is not to be in possession of alcohol or drugs or drive a motorized vehicle.
He’s banned from walking on trail systems and must remain visible while walking on roadways.
And he is to have no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18 without prior written consent from his parole officer.
Anyone who sees Sam breech any part of his probation is asked to contact the RCMP immediately at 667-5555.