High-risk sex offender back in custody after being granted leave privileges

A high-risk offender with a history of sex crimes against children and domestic violence, who was recently granted leave privileges from a halfway house, is back in custody and facing new charges that could carry up to 10 years in prison, according to a parole board decision.

Harvey Joseph Venus, 39, a designated dangerous offender about whom Saint John and Halifax police have both issued alerts, has had his long-term supervision order suspended by the Correctional Service of Canada.

"Matters came to a head" on Feb. 28 — just 17 days after the Parole Board of Canada granted Venus leave privileges to assist his gradual reintegration into the community, says the parole decision dated April 17. Halifax police spotted him driving a vehicle, when he didn't have a valid driver's licence.

When officers pulled him over, they allegedly discovered cocaine on his male passenger and that the licence plate sticker was stolen. They also found a second cellphone, although Venus was not allowed to own or possess more than one.

"Police have indicated that charges are pending for operating a vehicle without a [licence], possession of stolen property related to the [licence] plate sticker and a [long-term supervision order] breach," according to the document released Wednesday.

In an interview after he was back in custody, Venus "acknowledged the error of purchasing and driving a vehicle without a [licence]," the statement says.

Venus also told officials about an alleged incident when he was shot, which he said "overwhelmed" him. He declined to provide any details, indicated he was being harassed by another halfway house resident and said he was stressed about "renewed media scrutiny" regarding his case.

While all this "pales in comparison to [his] criminal history and past acts of non-compliance," the lone parole board member who reviewed Venus's case has recommended he be charged with breaching his long-term supervision order.

Such an order is imposed by a judge during sentencing to extend the length of time the Correctional Service of Canada supervises an offender in the community beyond the completion of their regular sentence.

Venus was originally sentenced to four years in prison for sexual interference involving a girl under the age of 16 in Nova Scotia. He inappropriately touched the victim and took pictures her, while reportedly using an alias because of his sexual offence history, according to parole documents.

The sentencing judge tacked on an eight-year long-term supervision order, with a number of special conditions related to contact with children under 18, relationships and treatment, which Venus began serving in February 2022.

"Violations of your [long-term supervision order] have been far too common over the past number of years," the latest parole decision says.

"The board believes that by resuming the [order] you would pose a substantial risk to society.

"Your profile allows minimal room for error."