Police in Vancouver are warning the public that a high-risk sex offender who they say poses a danger to young women has been released from custody and will be living in the city.
Cameron Eugene Ratelle was convicted of sexual assault against a person under the age of 18. The 40-year-old completed his sentence, but "still poses a high risk to re-offend and is known to target young women aged 16 to 25," police said.
Ratelle is described as 5'8" and 200 lbs. Police said he has a large build, a shaved head and brown eyes, adding that Ratelle is hearing-impaired but uses hearing aids and can read lips.
Parole Board documents obtained by CTV News paint a disturbing picture of Ratelle’s activities, outlining repeated instances of groping, harassing and making women feel uncomfortable while breaching the conditions of his previous releases with unapproved contact with women and drug possession.
Psychiatric assessments and various analysis of Ratelle’s behaviour had the report’s writer concluding “your risk of sexual recidivism is reportedly viewed as being higher than the majority of sex offenders in the federal system.”
“The Board considers that you have shown a propensity for violence, sexual violence in particular, by acting violently against women – in most cases unknown to you – with whom you had different connections/relationships, in various context and settings, and in a predatory fashion,” reads another section.
“You have demonstrated a propensity to return to such behaviours and corresponding risk situations over many years, as evidenced by your convictions on file as well as the nature/circumstances of incidents while under community supervision – including the latest incidents that led to your current conviction for breach of your LTSO (Long-Term Supervision Order).”
Ratelle’s release is subject to several conditions, including that he not purchase or consume alcohol, non-prescription drugs or sexually explicit material or pornography. He must also report any sexually intimate relationships with women to a parole officer and is also barred from being on school property and must not be in the presence of girls under the age of 18 without permission from a parole officer.
Anyone who believes Ratelle has violated any of the conditions of his release is asked to call 911.
The Vancouver Police Department first issued a warning about Ratelle re-entering the community back in 2017, but he was arrested just days later for allegedly breaking a long-term supervision order.
Police issued a similar warning the following year. On Friday, the VPD would not provide any details on Ratelle's most recent arrest and release.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Penny Daflos
