Mounties in Surrey, B.C., have issued a “public interest notification” that a “dangerous” sex offender is now residing in the community.
Michal Popek has received a “One Chance Statutory Release” ahead of his sentence’s completion date of December 2025.
He will be subject to a 10-year supervision order.
In 2020, Popek was found guilty of sexually assaulting four women in 2015 and 2016, attacking two of his victims on Burnaby walking trails during the day.
“(He) poses a risk to adolescent girls and adult women, including strangers,” Cpl. James Mason said in a release.
As part of his release, Popek cannot consume, purchase or possess alcohol and illicit drugs.
He cannot attend any business whose primary source of income is the sale of alcohol or cannabis.
Popek is barred from being in the company of any sex workers or escorts and must adhere to a curfew.
“Further, the Surrey RCMP will be working in partnership with the Correctional Service of Canada, Community Corrections and other stakeholders to monitor Michal Popek via traditional police methods as well as electronic monitoring,” Mason said.
Police describe Popek as 44 years old, around five feet five inches tall, and weighing 150 pounds with brown eyes and short brown hair.
Anyone who sees Popek violating his conditions is asked to call 911 immediately.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke was unavailable for an interview but did give a statement on the matter.
“I am deeply concerned about this dangerous sex offender who is deemed to be a risk to re-offend,” she said in an email.
“The heinous crimes he committed were described by a judge as ‘every woman’s worst nightmare.’ Whether his release is supervised or not, there is no rational explanation as to why a dangerous convicted sex offender would be released into a city that has the largest youth population in the province.
“I urge lawmakers to take a hard look at how this could happen and to fix this egregious flaw. I am in regular contact with Surrey RCMP as this offender is monitored in the community.”