HALIFAX – Halifax Police and RCMP say that a high-risk offender was released from federal prison early Friday morning.
43-year-old Sem Paul Obed just finished serving a two-year sentence for assault and breach of probation.
Police issued the warning because upon his release, Obed indicated he will try to find a place to live in the Halifax area.
This announcement has many locals worried.
“This will be very triggering to people who have experienced sexualized violence,” says Susan Wilson of the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre.
Obed, who has had over 30 past convictions, has served three federal sentences since 1984. He has been convicted of attempted murder and various assaults.
Police say there are a number of conditions to his release. These include abstaining from the consumption, purchase and possession of alcohol; abstaining from entering any place where alcohol is sold or consumed as the primary source of business; and remain in his residence every day between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Obed spoke to CTV Atlantic over 10 years ago after serving a previous six-year sentence. Police tried to restrict his movements, but those attempts were unsuccessful.
“I paid my debt to society, right. I feel that to punish me further is not right,” said Obed in 2000. “I’m thinking that I do deserve another chance. I don’t have to prove nothing to nobody.”
Parole board documents, however, reveal a long history of violence.
Describing his history, one parole document read:
“Your file describes you as an opportunistic violent offender with a pattern of violent sexual offending. You have no remorse for your behavior and no empathy for your victims.”
Cst. Pierre Bourdages of the Halifax Regional Police says that local residents should be aware of his release, but also that authorities will be upholding the conditions of his release.
Obed is described as an Inuit man, 5’11”, 170 lbs., with black hair, brown eyes, a dark moustache and he wears glasses
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jackie Foster.
