Warning issued after release of sex offender
Vancouver police say a convicted sex offender residing in Vancouver poses a significant risk to the safety of young women, particularly those 16 to 25 years old.
Cameron Eugene Ratelle, 39, is a federal offender who was convicted of a sexual assault against a person under age 18, as well as university women living on campuses in Ontario.
Vancouver police say they were advised Feb. 8 that Ratelle is currently out on statutory release and living in a Vancouver halfway house.
Ratelle was arrested in Coquitlam in 2006 after a 16-year-old girl reported that a man followed her off the SkyTrain and attacked her on the way home. At the time, Ratelle was wanted on five outstanding warrants for breaching his probation.
In 2002, Ratelle was sentenced to time served in jail — one year — after he broke into a dorm at the University of Toronto, climbed into a bed and sexually assaulted an 18-yearold student. The Toronto Star reported that Ratelle was on probation at the time for an earlier sexual assault — lifting up a woman’s skirt at a subway station — and was released into his grandmother’s care.
The Correctional Service of Canada has assessed Ratelle as a moderate to high risk for violent and sexual reoffending.
Ratelle had a short stay in a Vancouver halfway house in May 2017. Less than a week after police issued a public warning about his presence in the community, he was arrested for a non-violent breach of his longterm supervision order.
Ratelle is described as black, 5-feet-8 and 160 pounds, with a stocky build, shaved head and brown eyes.
Conditions of his statutory release include:
Not to go on the property of any educational institute or school (including university campuses);
Not to be in the presence of anyone under age 18 without permission of a parole officer;
Abide by a daily curfew from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.;
Not to possess, purchase or consume alcohol or non-prescription drugs;
Not to possess, buy or access pornography;
Not to access any internet site or access any computer;
Must reside at a community correctional centre or community residential facility;
Must wear an electronic monitoring device.
Anyone who sees Ratelle in violation of any of these conditions is asked to call 911.