High-risk offender charged for alleged sexual assault committed just days after release

UPDATE: In May 2024, Paul Aligino Barrett was convicted of sexual assault. He received a sentence of four years, seven monthsand will be subject to an eight-year long-term supervision order upon his release.

A man Calgary police deemed to behigh-risk offender and warned the public about has been charged after allegedly committing sexual assault just days after being released into the community.

On Sept. 21,Paul Algino Barrett was releasedafter serving a two-year sentence for break and enter with intent, according to a Friday news release. The Calgary Police Service (CPS) issued a public warning the same day of his release stating that the 23-year-old was a high-risk offender.

Eight days later, at about 7 a.m. on Sept. 29, police responded to a report of a man breaking into a home in Forest Heights and sexually assaultingthe resident while possessing a weapon, according to CPS.

After an investigation, police charged Barrett withone count of break and enter to commit sexual assault with a weapon, and one count of break and enter to commit theft. He was arrested the same day of the attack, at about 8:45 p.m., after breaching conditions of his three-year probation.

Barrett remains in custody, police said. He's scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 20.

"Violent and traumatizing crimes like this one have no place in Calgary communities," Staff Sgt. Michelle Doyle said in the news release.

"Our focus was to work swiftly to identify the person responsible and to ensure the victim was properly supported during this difficult time."

Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact CPS at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through its website or by calling 1-800-222-8477.