RCMP have obtained a Canada-wide warrant for the arrest of a prisoner who failed to return to a minimum security federal institution south of Edmonton Saturday night.
Officers said Darell Moosomin was granted day leave from the Pe Sakastew Centre in Maskwacis on Saturday to attend the Samson powwow. He was escorted by an elder, but sometime Saturday evening the elder lost sight of Moosomin. He has not been seen since.
The Correctional Services of Canada said Moosomin, 54, is a dangerous offender who is serving an indeterminate sentence for sexual assault, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, failing to comply with a probation order, operating a motor vehicle while disqualified and obstruction of a police or peace officer.
“Typically an offender will get a very specific end date. A judge will say, ‘you’ll have to serve seven years, six months, 14 days,’ something like that. In his case, he’ll be reporting to CSC or in CSC custody for the rest of his life with an indeterminate sentence,” Jeff Campbell, regional communications manager with CSC, explained Sunday morning.
“In his case I don’t have his entire case history but that’s the sentence that the court applied.”
Campbell said Moosomin’s current sentence started on Nov. 15, 1994 after he was convicted in Swift Current, Sask.
“He also had sentences previously for escape lawful custody, assault, break enter and commit and common assault,” Campbell said Sunday morning.
The CSC was notified of the prisoner’s absence at around 8:45 p.m. Saturday.
“Every temporary absence is only granted after a thorough assessment’s been done and it’s found that an offender could be managed safely in the community. Otherwise they would not be granted a temporary absence,” Campbell said.
Moosomin is originally from Mosquito Lake, Sask. RCMP say he has no known family or friends in the Edmonton area. Officers do not know where Moosomin may be headed.
Moosomin is described as a First Nations man who is about 5’9″ tall and 217 pounds. He speaks with a lisp and has the number 11 tattooed on his right hand. He also has a Playboy Bunny tattoo on his upper back. RCMP say he has a slash scar on his throat.
The Pe Sakastew Centre is a minimum security facility located about 95 kilometres south of Edmonton. The facility has the capacity to house about 60 inmates who live in residential houses. It promotes a healing process based on aboriginal culture.
“The idea here is to have offenders taking on more and more responsibility and accountability and get ready to safely reintegrate into a community,” Campbell said. “They use traditional teachings from indigenous cultures to assist offenders to get ready for eventual release.”
Campbell said because Moosomin is serving in a minimum security facility, he is considered to be a low risk to public safety. However, if anyone sees him they are asked to contact police.