High-risk sex offender living in Ottawa with no release conditions
Aaron Gilpin, a violent offender with a history of sexual assault, has complete freedom in the community despite police warnings about his elevated risk to reoffend.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
A violent sex offender living in Ottawa has complete freedom with no conditions on his release, despite posing an "elevated risk to reoffend," police say.
Aaron Gilpin, 35, relocated to Ottawa from Smiths Falls in late July and has been living in the city for the last month. Originally from Tay Valley Township, Gilpin has an extensive criminal history dating back to the early 2000s. His convictions include a brutal child-related sexual assault, assault, weapons offences, disarming a police officer, break and enters, and thefts, according to Smiths Falls police. He has been in and out of custody for several years; his latest release from jail was in 2025, and his parole conditions have since expired.
Smithsalls Police issued a warning to their community on July 23 after receiving a call about a suspicious person at a gazebo near the library and town hall. Within days, residents photographed Gilpin walking in downtown Ottawa. The Ottawa Police Service issued their own warning on August 21.
Brett Lacey, a crime intelligence analyst with the Smiths Falls Police Service, said he could not comment on how Gilpin moved to Ottawa due to "privacy considerations," but noted he "left Smiths Falls on his own accord after being connected with available community resources that could assist with transportation."
According to social media accounts, Gilpin has been spotted at several locations in the downtown core, close to local parks and schools. However, the Ottawa Police Service says there is nothing preventing him from being there. Being a registered sex offender and being subject to release conditions are two separate things. Once an offender completes their sentence and parole conditions expire, they are free to move about.
"A person can remain registered as a sex offender after specific release or sentence conditions have expired. In that circumstance, being in the community or in a public place is not, by itself, an offence," Ottawa Police media relations said.
Police notified the public "because the High-Risk Offender Management Unit believes Gilpin poses a significant risk to public safety based on his history of violent and sexual offending." The Community Safety and Policing Act of Ontario allows police chiefs to issue public warnings if they reasonably believe an individual poses significant risk.
Gilpin is described as a white male, approximately six feet tall with a medium build, hazel eyes, and facial tattoos. Anyone who observes him involved in criminal activity should not approach him and should contact the OPS High-Risk Offender Management Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 4395, or 9-1-1 in case of emergency.
What were the specific conditions of Gilpin's original parole, and when exactly did those conditions expire?
Under what legal authority can police issue public warnings without restricting an offender's movement?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
Who is Aaron Gilpin?
Aaron Gilpin is a 35-year-old violent sex offender originally from Tay Valley Township with convictions including child-related sexual assault, assault, weapons offences, and disarming a police officer, dating back to the early 2000s.
When did Aaron Gilpin move to Ottawa?
Aaron Gilpin relocated to Ottawa from Smiths Falls in late July 2026.
Why did police issue a warning about Aaron Gilpin?
The Ottawa Police Service High-Risk Offender Management Unit issued a warning on August 21, 2026, because Gilpin poses an elevated risk to reoffend based on his history of violent and sexual offending.
Can police prevent Aaron Gilpin from being in public places?
No. Although Gilpin remains a registered sex offender, his parole conditions have expired, so being in the community or public places is not, by itself, an offence.
