BC Corrections warns of sex offender moving to Hope

Richard Ian Ellis says he wants to live in the community, prompting a notification.

Richard Ian Ellis.

Richard Ian Ellis.

A high risk sex offender who BC Corrections says still poses a “significant” risk to young girls could soon be calling Hope home.

Richard Ian Ellis says he wants to live in the community, prompting a notification from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Ellis has a lengthy criminal history, says the corrections branch, which includes sexual assault, and possession of child pornography.

“He has maintained a predatory and opportunistic pattern of sexually offending against children and poses a significant risk to the safety of prepubescent girls,” the branch said in a public notification issued Friday.

He is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He is Caucasian with very thin brown hair and hazel eyes.

Ellis is subject to close monitoring by authorities and 18 court-ordered conditions. The court-ordered conditions puts restrictions on most types of contact with females aged 16 or younger, alcohol, technology usage and pornography.

Hope Standard