RCMP inform P.E.I. about high-risk sex offender

RCMP handout photo of Tyler James Bernard, 27. A notice from the police force says that Bernard is being released from the federal penitentiary on April 10 after serving a sentence for sexual assault. He is considered a person at high risk or reoffending. - RCMP handout

Prince Edward Island RCMP issued a warning about the release of a convicted sex offender who is considered to be a high risk to re-offend.

Tyler James Bernard, 27, is scheduled to be released from Dorchester Penitentiary on Tuesday. He was serving a two-year sentence for a conviction of sexual assault against an adult female.

Bernard has previous convictions for sexual assault, plus additional convictions for indecent acts involving children and women.

He has other violence-related convictions over several years, mostly in the East Prince and Summerside areas.

The decision to advise the public was made by the P.E.I. High Risk Offender Committee, which includes representatives from the Crown Attorney's Office, police agencies, the Department of Justice and Victim Services.

The committee must weigh the issues of public safety with the offender's right to privacy.

The RCMP expects that Bernard will live in the East Prince area.

He is described as five-foot-nine, 134 pounds with dark brown hair and hazel eyes.