A high-risk offender with a history of child sex offenses, who was released in the Saint John community last February under a public police alert, has allegedly failed to meet a number of conditions and is expected to face to new sexual charges, according to a report. decision of the probation board.
Harvey Joseph Venus, 30, is back in custody after the Board of Probation of Canada suspended his long-term supervision order.
He is accused of “sexually recidivism,” having contact with under-18s, and not reporting a relationship.
It poses a “substantial risk” to the community, the decision issued this week alleges.
The board gave a number of reasons for taking Venus’ behavior seriously. These include his history of sexual offenses, a psychological assessment indicating that his risk of sexual recidivism is above average and his “pedophilic disorder, deviant sexual preferences and indifference to harm caused to [his] victims “.
Venus was released at a community correctional facility in Saint John after completing a four-year sentence at Dorchester Penitentiary for sexual interference with a girl under the age of 16 in Nova Scotia.
He improperly touched the victim and took pictures of him, while he is said to have used an alias because of his history of sex crimes, according to parole documents.
He was under 8-year supervision
When he was released, Venus was still under an eight-year long-term supervision order, which the judge added at the end of his sentence, also known as the expiration date of the order.
The St. John’s police force took the unusual step of issuing a public safety alert at the time, saying the information indicated it posed “a significant risk of harm to children under the age of 16.”
“The police of San Juan [Force] issues this public notice after careful consideration of all related factors, including individual concerns about privacy and public safety, in the belief that it is clearly in the public interest to inform community members of the release of ‘Harvey Venus,’ the notice said.
The notice was intended to “allow citizens to take appropriate precautionary measures,” police said.
Saint John police issued a public safety alert in February, saying Venus posed a “significant risk” to those under 16. (Sent by the Saint John Police Force)
Venus was under a number of special conditions imposed by the parole board, “with respect to negative associates, reporting relationships, contact with victims, contact with children, child areas, pornography, alcohol, drugs, treatment plans, as well as telecommunications and Internet restrictions “, according to the parole document.
Shortly after his release, however, someone called the community prison to tell him he had been in contact with a six-year-old boy, he says.
A few weeks later, his case management team received information that they saw him talking to an unknown woman who was pushing a baby stroller.
A few days later, he was seen holding the hand of an unknown woman, and “only revealed this relationship after being seen.”
During a routine search of the community correctional facility on April 27, staff found a smartphone charger in their room, according to the six-page document.
On May 4, staff received a call saying Venus had been visiting a woman’s house and had been “‘tickling’ a child.”
“Police also stated that credible information was received [he was] in the presence of someone under the age of 18 sometimes alone and on more than one occasion, ”the document alleges.
Consequently, on 5 May his release was suspended and an arrest warrant was issued.
Sexual assaults, pending sexual interference charges
“The board is of the opinion that there is sufficient information in the reliable and persuasive record to be persuaded that you have breached your special conditions to report relationships related to the presence of under-18s,” the decision states.
The board notes that there were “a series” of previous “incidents” that did not result in the suspension of Venus’ supervision.
There had been information that “he had contact with children or [was] establishing relationships / friendships with women, “according to the parole board. This led to restricted access to the community or” discussions “with him.
“The board concludes that there is clear and convincing evidence not only of your breach, but also of an increased risk of returning to your offensive cycle,” the decision states.
“Because the board is convinced that no appropriate oversight program can be established that adequately protects society from the risk of recidivism and non-compliance has occurred, the board recommends that information be filed accusing it of a crime. under section 753.3 of the Penal Code ”, breach of a long-term supervision order.
“It is noted that you will incur new charges of sexual assault and sexual interference,” the decision states.
Saint John police currently have no new charges against Venus, the sergeant said. Andrew MacBean.
Risk “well above average” of sexual recidivism
A specialized assessment of sex offenders in October 2019 concluded that Venus had a moderate risk of recidivism in general, a moderate risk of violent recidivism, and a much higher than average risk of recidivism.
A risk assessment of spousal aggression completed in May 2018 found that it presented a moderate imminent risk of violence towards the couple and a high imminent risk of violence towards the others.
Venus got a 21 on the criminal risk index. Investigations found that 30 percent of male federal offenders in this category committed a crime in the three years following release.
Its reintegration potential is valued as low.
The previous legal release was revoked
During Venus’ previous federal conviction, his legal release was suspended after a month, as his risk was considered “no longer manageable.”
Their relationship had “deteriorated,” he was in contact with underage women and accessed pornography, according to the parole board.
In May 2020, the board concluded that it was “likely” that he would commit a sexual offense with a child before the expiration of his sentence if he was released, and his arrest was ordered.
She cuts the clothes of the sleeping girl
Venus’ criminal record includes two counts of sexual assault, one of which involved entering a house, going to a girl’s room, and cutting off her clothes while she slept. He left when she woke up.
Other crimes also had sexual components, the board notes, such as breaking into residences and stealing or impersonating underwear.
A psychiatric evaluation conducted for the court in 2017 found that Venus suffers from sexual preferences diverted by sexual contact with pubescent and / or prepubescent individuals and a fetishistic disorder, specifically toward female underwear.
His sexual behavior began when he was a child, including exposing himself to other children. He was sent to a treatment center, where several incidents of a sexual nature occurred, such as masturbating in front of other people, fantasizing with female staff, making inappropriate comments, and stealing clothes.
Venus had a difficult upbringing, according to the parole board. He was the victim of physical and sexual abuse as well as gross negligence and was raised in poverty, according to the document. He also witnessed domestic violence and sexual abuse.