Crown, defence seeking long-term offender designation for Russell Wolfe

A long-term offender hearing is underway for a Saskatoon man convicted of multiple sexual assault and child pornography offences that spanned more than a decade.

Russell Dennis Wolfe, 59, pleaded guilty last March to 20 sexual assault and child pornography charges. The charges stem from between 1997 and 2008. Wolfe admitted to luring young girls to his home and recording videos of him sexually assaulting them.

Wolfe was originally arrested in 2014 during a Canada-wide operation that targeted sex offenders. Officers traced an IP address using file sharing software to download child porn; a search warrant was later executed and child porn was found on the seized devices. There were 14 victims in relation to Wolfe’s case; the youngest was nine years old.

Originally, the Crown was seeking dangerous offender designation for Wolfe, which carries an indeterminate prison sentence. However, the Crown and defence have submitted a joint submission for a long-term offender designation; they’re arguing Wolfe should be sentenced to 15 years, with five years credit for time served as well as a 10-year supervision order when he is released.

Court heard long-term offender designations are usually given to repeat sex offenders. It includes a definitive sentence, plus a 10-year maximum supervision order.

Throughout the hearing, which began on Monday, lawyers must prove that there is a risk that Wolfe will re-offend, but that the risk if manageable in the community.

Court heard that if Wolfe receives long-term offender status, then a high-intensity sex offender rehabilitation program would be available to him. Wolfe was convicted for a sexual offence in the 90s but didn’t receive any treatment. The program is voluntary but there are consequences for offenders who don’t participate. Court heard that release conditions are tailored to the offender, and could include restrictions from the internet, and contact with children.

Four victim impact statements were also heard in court on Monday afternoon. The victims described anger, and substance abuse that came following the assaults. Some describe descending into sex work and drug addiction, others spoke about isolating themselves and feeling like the assaults were their fault and preventable.

The victims are fearful they’ll run into Wolfe when he is released. The victim’s identities are protected under a publication ban.

Wolfe wasn’t in the courtroom for the hearing on Monday, he appeared via video from Regina. He is expected to attend in person later this week.

The hearing is scheduled to resume on Thursday at Saskatoon’s Court of Queen’s Bench.