High-Risk Sex Offender Arrested in Kentville, NS

A high-risk sex offender has been arrested in Kentville, N.S., in connection with an alleged breach of his court-ordered release conditions, police say.

The Kentville Police Service said in an Oct. 25 social media post that officers arrested Matthew William Rozins, 43, on the evening of Oct. 24. Rozins is a convicted sex offender with a criminal history that includes offences in several provinces.

The Truro Police Service first alerted the public on Oct. 21 that Rozins was believed to be living in the Truro area. The following day, Truro police said he was no longer believed to be in the area.

On Oct. 23, Kentville police issued their own public notice, saying Rozins was in the Kentville area. The notice was issued under Nova Scotia’s Release of High-Risk Offender Information Protocol.

Kentville police said in an Oct. 24 update that Rozins was no longer in the area. Officers urged anyone concerned that he might be breaching his release conditions to contact police.

The following day, police announced his arrest.

Under his court-ordered release conditions, Rozins is prohibited from being in the presence of anyone under 16. He is also prohibited from attending public parks, public swimming areas, daycare centres, school grounds, playgrounds, community centres, or other locations where people under 16 are present or can reasonably be expected to be present.

His conditions also prohibit him from seeking or holding paid or volunteer employment that would place him in a position of trust or authority over people under 16. He cannot have contact or communicate with anyone under 16 unless the contact is supervised by a person approved by the court. He is also prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

In its Oct. 25 post, Kentville police warned that vigilantism, intimidation or harassment directed at Rozins would not be tolerated and could result in criminal charges. Police said the information was released in the interest of community safety.

Police said Rozins remained in custody and appeared in Kentville Provincial Court on Oct. 26.