Yukon sex offender is back in court

A Yukon sex offender previously convicted forusing Facebook to contact two pre-teen girls and trying to arrange meetings for sex is back in court, facing a new set of criminal charges including sexual assault related to the abuse of an underage person.

Billy Dean Callahan-Smith is charged with a count each of sexual interference, sexual assault, and administering a noxious substance cocaine. All of which allegedly occurred on Aug.8, 2023. He's also facing charges forstealingand committing mischiefon a property on Oct.17 of that same year.

Court documents state that the alleged crimeshappened during the summer of 2023 when the victim was under the age of 16.Callahan-Smith allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted the victim.

The victim's name is under a publication ban.

The charges come after Yukon territorial court JudgeDonald S. Luther, crown prosecutor Leo Lane, and Callahan-Smith's former defence lawyerDavid Tarnowall expressed concerns over significant risks of re-offending after Callahan-Smith's2015 conviction.

At the time, lawyers urgedthe Yukon government to send Callahan-Smith to a renowned rehabilitationprogram for sex offenders in Alberta, but the government refused to pay. Instead, hewas released on two years' probation to live with his parents.

Callahan-Smith'sprobation forbidshim from contacting any children and attending places where children gather, such as pools and public parks.

On Friday, Callahan-Smith made a brief court appearance by video while incustody. Hisinitial bail hearing was adjourned after defence lawyer Mark Chandler told the judge that Callahan-Smith's family needs more time to work on a plan for his release.

Callahan-Smith will be back in court on Feb. 22.