Edmonton man, 57, designated a dangerous offender for sexual crimes against boys

A 57-year-old man with a long criminal history of sexual offences against boys has been deemed a dangerous offender.

Court of King's Bench Justice Doreen Sulyma made the decision in an Edmonton courtroom on Monday. 

Curtis Poburan was convicted last year of abducting a 10-year-old boy from a west Edmonton skate park in 2021.

Crown prosecutors then applied to have him declared a dangerous offender, a designation in Canada reserved for the most serious violent criminals and sexual predators.

"He admitted that he's sexually aroused by interactions with young boys," Sulyma said during her verbal decision Monday. "There's a substantial degree of indifference to the consequences of his behaviour." 

Poburan's crimes go back more to 1992 when he was working as an ice cream vendor and used gifts to entice a 12-year-old boy, who was later sexually assaulted in his home, court heard Monday. 

Further assaults against the boy continued over several months, Sulyma noted. 

In 1998, Poburan was convicted of sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching for offences against an eight-year-old and the 12-year-old boy. 

Substantial threat to children

Sulyma said Poburan was unrelenting in his efforts to contact children. 

"He is unwilling or unable to regulate his offending behaviours," Sulyma said, and he "will remain a substantial threat to children."

Poburan repeatedly returned to public libraries, spray parks and skate parks to entice young boys with imitation guns, smoking and vapes, she said. 

Sulyma cited psychologist reports that state that Poburan admitted to feeling sexually aroused by young boys.

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Sulyma said the decision didn't come lightly but imposing an indeterminate sentence was the only way to properly protect the public. 

Poburan has also repeatedly rejected treatments, both psychological and pharmacological, she said. 

"I agree with the Crown that the road ahead in terms of treatment is non-existent. Treatment requires engagement and acknowledgement of the threat posed."

Monday, Poburan sat in the prisoner's box Monday dressed in an orange jumpsuit, with no apparent expression. 

The dangerous offender status means Poburan has an indefinite prison sentence, and he could be behind bars for the rest of his life.

The Crown and defence have 30 days to appeal the decision. 

Poburan's lawyer, David Wolsey, said he'll be working on finding grounds for appeal over the coming days and weeks.