Sex offender who forcibly confined and repeatedly sexually assaulted woman expected to live in Winnipeg

Sex offender who forcibly confined and repeatedly sexually assaulted woman expected to live in Winnipeg

Police warn Justin David Levasseur, 36, remains a high risk to reoffend against women and girls

A convicted sex offender who trapped a woman in his home and repeatedly sexually assaulted her is expected to live in Winnipeg after he was released this week, police warn.

Justin David Levasseur, 36, was released from federal custody on Wednesday after serving a six-year sentence for sexual assault and forcible confinement, according to a community notice from the Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit — a joint forces unit of the Winnipeg Police Service and RCMP.

He is considered a high risk to reoffend in a sexually violent manner against women and girls, despite participating in some treatment programming while incarcerated, police said.

Levasseur has a history of violence and a long criminal record that includes convictions for sexual assault, assault, forcible confinement, breaking and entering to commit sexual assault, and escaping lawful custody.

In 2013, he broke into a home, where he sexually assaulted and choked a sleeping woman, while her children were asleep in another bedroom. He was convicted of these crimes in 2016 and was given a five-year sentence.

Sex offender released from prison, expected to move to Winnipeg

Then, over a month-long period in February and March 2021, Levasseur forcibly confined a woman he met through Facebook in his home. He physically and sexually assaulted her numerous times, while threatening her.

He was convicted later that year and given a six-year sentence.

Under conditions of his release imposed by the Parole Board of Canada, Levasseur isn't allowed to consume alcohol or drugs. He is required to live at a specific address and is also subject to a pornography restriction, according to the notice.

He can't have contact with anyone known to be involved in criminal activity or substance misuse, and he's not allowed to have contact with his victims or their families.

He has to report relationships and he is not allowed to own more than one mobile communication device or SIM card.

Police describe Levasseur as five feet nine inches tall and about 235 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has several tattoos, including "JAY" on both shoulders, the letter "J" on his neck, "JL" on his left hand, and "LEVASSEUR" on his left forearm.

Police say he will be living in a supervised setting in Winnipeg.

Police say they are providing information about Levasseur to enable members of the public to take suitable measures to protect themselves, but warn any vigilante activity toward him won't be tolerated.

Anyone with information about Levasseur's compliance with his conditions can call the integrated high-risk sex offender unit at (431) 489-8056, or contact the Winnipeg Police Service at (204) 986-6222 or a local RCMP Detachment.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (204) 786-8477 or toll free at 1-800-222-8477.