A notorious high-risk sex offender is moving from Abbotsford to Mission, according to BC Corrections.
The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General issued a public notification Sunday that James Conway, 41, is moving to Mission.
Conway had been living at an Abbotsford halfway house, prompting the City of Abbotsford to file a lawsuit to try to force him to move.
Conway has a long criminal history, including three sexual offences against children, as well as sexual interference of a person under 16, sexual assault and arson.
He has also breached the conditions of his release at least twice.
In April 2014, he was caught staring at young girls on SkyTrain, looking down their shirts and engaging them in conversation by producing a teddy bear. He was later sentenced to 10 months in jail and three years’ probation.
Police issued a public notice about his release from prison in February of this year, when he settled in the Surrey area.
At that time, BC Corrections said in a press release that he has a pattern of “sexual offending against female children in a predatory and opportunistic manner.”
Conway was back in jail 10 days later, after allegedly breaching his conditions when he sat down on a bus beside a 14-year-old girl, even though other seats were available.
A public notice was issued again in April of 2015, when Conway was released from prison and planned to reside in Delta.
Last November, the city filed a notice of civil claim in B.C. Supreme Court against the owners of a property that houses a Bradner halfway house.
The suit alleges that the defendants are using the property for “commercial, institutional and care uses,” which are not permitted under the “Agricultural One” zoning for the neighbourhood.
The defendants responded, saying the home is being operated within the permitted zoning designation for the area.
Conway is 6' 4", 250 pounds and is described as Caucasian with brown hair and blue eyes. He is subject to "close monitoring by authorities and 25 court-ordered conditions" according to BC Corrections.
Those conditions require him to remain in his home 24 hours a day unless he is supervised. He is also subject to "electronic supervision<' and is banned from consuming alcohol, possessing weapons, wearing uniforms of firefighters and peace officers, and attending any site that offers activities for minors.
- with files from Vikki Hopes