Stanley located but not in custody in the United States: police

Video: Police try to figure out how high-risk sex offender Michael Stanley crossed Canada-US border. Francis Silvaggio reports

EDMONTON – The Edmonton Police Service confirmed that high-risk offender Michael Sean Stanley has been located in the United States, but he is not currently in custody.

“The Edmonton Police Service can confirm that Michael Sean Stanley, the high-risk offender… has crossed over the border to the United States,” said Chris Hayduk, with the EPS Behaviour Assessment Unit.

Police said they had “located” Stanley.

“Is he in custody? No,” said Hayduk.

“His warrants right now are Canada-wide warrants, and right now he’s in the States,” explained Hayduk.

EPS detectives were able to confirm with U.S. Customs and Border Protection that Stanley crossed from British Columbia into Washington State at the Blaine Border Crossing on the evening of Oct. 7.

“We informed all of the appropriate U.S. agencies in advance that there was warrants out for him.”

Officers are still trying to figure out how he fled and was able to cross into the United States.

EPS has notified the appropriate officials in United States, and will be consulting with Crown Prosecutors on the possible extradition back to Canada.

“Specifically, we have no authority,” explained Hayduk.

Hayduk admitted it is frustrating to Canadian officers that – because Stanley is now in the United States – their hands are tied in many ways.

“To my knowledge, he’s not wanted for anything in the United States,” he added. “Our warrants aren’t extendible into the United States… they were notified of our existing warrants here.”

Stanley has been on the run since leaving Edmonton on Oct. 1 and cutting off his monitoring bracelet.

He is charged with five counts of breach of recognizance, and one count each of mischief, driving without a valid driver’s licence, driving without registration, and driving without insurance.

The 48-year-old is considered to be a high-risk, violent sexual offender. He has ties to southern Alberta, and on Monday his purple Chevrolet Blazer was found in Lethbridge.

Stanley is described as Métis, 5’9″, 190 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to immediately contact their local police detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Video: A criminal profile on Michael Stanley.