Release of high-risk sex offender into Surrey 'outrageous,' mayor says

Police in Surrey, B.C., are warning the public that a high-risk sex offender with a history of violent crimes against women and girls has moved into the community.

Brian Abrosimo, 61, was released from prison on Thursday and has been deemed to be at a high risk to reoffend, according to an RCMP press release.

His most recent long-term sentence was for crimes including sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in Langley after striking her with his van, and sexually assaulting a sex worker at gunpoint. 

Mounties said Abrosimo is the subject of a long-term supervision order, which means he will be monitored by police and corrections officers to make sure he abides by conditions restricting his movements and activities.

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke issued a statement expressing her anger at Abrosimo's release.

"It is outrageous that a convicted violent sex offender that is deemed to be at a high-risk to reoffend is being released into Surrey, a city that has more children per capita than anywhere in the province," Locke said.

"Abrosimo's release into Surrey is yet another blatant example of what is wrong with our justice system. I ask that our residents … be extra vigilant and take safety precautions, as Abrosimo poses a significant risk to children and women."

'The most heinous and grave of crimes'

Abrosimo has a long criminal history that includes a number of violent and sexual offences.

His most recent long-term sentence was for 18 years in prison for offences including sexual assault, kidnapping, unlawful confinement, assault with a weapon, sexual assault with a weapon and forcible confinement. With credit for time served, that sentence was reduced to 14 years and four months, which Abrosimo completed in 2020. He was released with a long-term supervision order and when he breached that, he was sent back to prison, according to RCMP.

The earlier crimes were committed against a woman and two girls in the summer of 2004.

According to a 2006 sentencing decision, Abrisimo drove a homeless Surrey sex worker to a secluded area, handcuffed her, beat her, gagged her, pointed a handgun at her, threatened to kill her and then sexually assaulted her.

A month later, Abrosimo intentionally slammed his van into an 11-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl while they were riding bikes in Langley. The older child's wrist was broken in the collision. Abrosimo drove away with the younger girl and then sexually assaulted her.

The judge who sentenced him described the crimes as pre-meditated and predatory.

"The offences of kidnapping and sexual assault of a child … represent the most heinous and grave of crimes known to our society," the sentencing decision stated.

"The attack and confinement of [the sex worker] and the level of violence used against her, including a threat to kill her if she did not comply, show that Mr. Abrosimo exhibited an escalating level of violence to pursue his sexual needs on random, vulnerable victims."

Abrosimo's long-term supervision order has been in place since 2020 and will expire in 2030.

He's described as a white man five feet 10 inches tall and weighing about 240 pounds. He has hazel eyes with short grey hair, a grey mustache and a white beard. Police said anyone who sees Abrosimo breaching the terms of the order should call 911 immediately.

Those terms include bans on accessing pornography, being in the presence of girls under 18 without an approved supervisor, contacting the victims or their families, using non-prescription drugs or drinking alcohol, being in the company of sex workers, and being near places frequented by children.

He's also prohibited from entering Langley and Abbotsford and must immediately report all intimate relationships with women to his parole supervisor.