'I have committed no new crimes'
Convicted sex offender Travis Casaway says he's trying to leave his past behind; police granted peace bond to keep him away from children
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 13, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A man convicted of two brutal sex assaults against children 10 years ago says he just wants to get on with his life as news of his return stoked fears across the city last week.
Travis Casaway: The 27-year-old was arrested on a peace bond and appeared in court on Friday. He has been re-released with conditions. - photo courtesy of RCMP G-Division |
Travis Casaway, 27, was arrested Friday under a peace bond - a day after RCMP issued a news release warning the public that the sex offender had returned to Yellowknife. He had been living in Edmonton since his release from jail in 2009.
Casaway grabbed and sexually assaulted two young girls, aged 11 and 12, on the streets of Yellowknife within nine days of each other in the fall of 2002. He was 15 years old. He pleaded guilty to the assaults - one at knife point - in 2004 and served five years in jail.
He has not been charged with any new offence.
In an exclusive interview with News/North after his court appearance, Casaway described the latest legal action as "a joke."
"I'm pissed off. I came to Yellowknife temporarily," he said. "I was going back to Edmonton in a week or two anyhow. Now I have to stay in Yellowknife because of this."
Crown prosecutor Susanne Boucher said the peace bond was laid by RCMP Const. Tina Acreman. "An officer thought (Casaway) was going to commit a serious personal injury offence," said Boucher.
She said she had no information as to why the officer thought that was a possibility.
Deputy Judge Brian Bruser heard the case Friday afternoon.
Casaway was wearing an orange hoodie, blue jeans and running shoes as he appeared in court from the prisoner's dock. Bruser allowed him to sit with his legal aid lawyer Tony Amoud for the hearing.
At the end of the hearing, Casaway was freed by Bruser on $500 bail with strict conditions.
He is to have no contact with his two Yellowknife victims, who are now both adults, or with anyone under the age of 16 except family members.
Casaway is not allowed to be at a daycare, schoolyard, public pool, library or anywhere else where people under 16 might frequent. He is allowed to use the Internet for communication purposes but is prohibited from viewing any sexual images. He is also not allowed to possess or consume alcohol or illegal drugs.
"The conditions are to ensure the protection and the safety of the public," said Bruser.
He warned Casaway if he breached any of the conditions, he'd be located, arrested and his bail would be revoked.
Casaway told News/North he came back to the city because his roommate had trashed his apartment in Edmonton while he was camping in southern Alberta.
"He broke my furniture and smashed holes in the walls," said Casaway.
"I had nowhere to live. I came to Yellowknife for a visit. I've been staying with my dad and picked up a couple of paycheques."
Casaway said he had been working in construction for the past two weeks. He declined to say what company he had been working for.
"I have committed no new crimes. I'm just trying to get on with my life," he said.
"I'm a family man now. I went to school to become a pipe fitter. How can I get a job after all this?"
Casaway's next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 21.
