A man who terrorized a Cloverdale family in 2002 after raping one woman and abducting another has been released from prison.
Ernest Meigs was convicted in 2004 after he broke into a Surrey home, armed, and sexually assaulted a tenant and kidnapped another woman, prompting one of the largest manhunts in B.C. history. His kidnap victim, who had been repeatedly sexually assaulted, managed to escape the next day and Meigs surrendered to police a few days later.
He was jailed in Saskatchewan following his conviction after serving a portion of his 14-and-a-half sentence.
His mother told CTV News her son, who is now 38, should not be released. An uncle, however, said Meigs “seems to be really remorseful” and that he’s hoping to live in a halfway house in Edmonton.
On Thursday, Edmonton Police released a photo and public warning about Meigs’ release. He is considered by police to be an untreated violent sexual offender who poses a risk of “significant harm” to the community. Edmonton Police believe he is at high risk to reoffend.
A parole board report obtained by CTV indicated Meigs’ troubles persisted behind bars, where he allegedly threatened his parole board officer, was aggressive, and became sexually obsessed with a staff member.
His statutory release conditions include that he live at a halfway house, stay away from alcohol or drugs, stick to a 10 p.m. curfew, have no contact with his victims or their families, and report any sexual or non-sexual relationships with women to his parole supervisor.
In May 2012, Meigs had a parole hearing postponed when the sex offender became agitated after his parole officer recommended he be denied full or day release. The parole officer said he was concerned over the contents of Meigs’ Facebook page, where he had posted some of his psychiatric evaluations.