Key Takeaways:
- Larry Maxwell Stanford, a 74-year-old convicted sex offender, is being released from prison into the Edmonton area.
- Stanford has a lengthy criminal history, including a plane hijacking, attempted murder, and violent sexual offences.
- The Edmonton Police Service has issued a warning to the public, citing concerns that Stanford may commit another sexual offence.
- Stanford will be subject to a court order with conditions, including a curfew, restrictions on his movements, and supervision by the Behavioural Assessment Unit.
- The public is advised to be aware of Stanford’s release and take suitable precautionary measures, but not to engage in vigilante action.
Introduction to the Story
The Edmonton Police Service has issued a warning to the public regarding the release of a violent sex offender, Larry Maxwell Stanford, into the Edmonton area. Stanford, 74, has a lengthy criminal history that includes a plane hijacking, attempted murder, and violent sexual offences. The police have reasonable grounds to believe that Stanford will commit another sexual offence against someone while out in the community. This warning is being issued in the interest of public safety, and the police are urging the public to be aware of Stanford’s release and take suitable precautionary measures.
Stanford’s Criminal History
Stanford’s criminal record dates back to the 1970s, with his first conviction being for assault causing grievous bodily harm in 1972. He made national headlines in 1972 at the age of 21, when he hijacked a Quebecair plane carrying 57 passengers with a shotgun, becoming the first Canadian to be charged under then-new hijacking laws. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the hijacking conviction and 10 years concurrent for the weapon conviction. While out on parole in 1982, he attacked his sister, hitting her more than 20 times in the head with a hammer, causing traumatic brain injuries. In 1984, Stanford was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years.
Previous Releases and Reoffending
Stanford was released from the Edmonton Institution maximum security prison in 2008, at which time police made a near-identical warning to the public as the one issued recently. However, Stanford was sent back to prison after attacking and sexually assaulting his neighbour at a west-central Edmonton apartment building in 2017. The sentencing decision called it a "very violent and invasive assault" in which Stanford showed little regard for possible injuries he could have caused. Stanford was added to the sex offender registry and banned from owning weapons for life.
Conditions of Release
Upon his release, Stanford will be subject to a court order with conditions, including a curfew, restrictions on his movements, and supervision by the Behavioural Assessment Unit of the Edmonton Police Service. The specialized unit deals only with high-risk, violent sexual offenders and high-risk violent offenders who are released to the Edmonton area. Stanford has been placed on a series of court-ordered conditions, including not attending certain areas or associating with specific individuals, not having contact with the victims of his index offence, and not associating with anyone known to have a criminal record for sexual offences. He will also be required to live at a residence approved by the Alberta Court of Justice or his supervisor and will not be allowed to change his address without written approval.
Public Safety and Vigilante Action
The Edmonton Police Service is issuing the information and warning after careful deliberation of all related issues, including privacy concerns, in the belief that it is in the public interest to inform the community. The police stressed that sharing Stanford’s release is meant to allow people to be aware and take suitable precautionary measures, but not to encourage people to engage in any form of vigilante action. Anyone with any information about Stanford’s behaviour or conduct while in the community can contact the EPS at 780-423-4567. The police are urging the public to be aware of Stanford’s release and to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety, but not to take the law into their own hands.