High-risk sex offender to live in Winnipeg: police

A convicted sex offender with a history of violent assault has been released from prison and is expected to return to Winnipeg, and police are now warning he continues to be a high risk to commit additional sex crimes. 

The Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit said in a Wednesday news release that 34-year-old Richard Kofie Asante was released from the Edmonton Institution on Wednesday on statutory release, after serving part of a more than three-year sentence. 

On June 19, 2023, Asante was convicted of sexual assault with a weapon and sexual assault by choking, suffocating or strangling. He received a prison sentence of three years, one month and three days, on top of presentence custody credit of just under three years.

Asante is now expected to reside in Winnipeg, police said. He has not completed sexual offender treatment and remains a high risk to sexually reoffend against women, according to police.

He was convicted after sexual assault offences that occurred on July 9, 2021.  

Police say Asante met the victim via social media before meeting in person, and he became angered by a comment from the victim, which resulted in him choking her.

When she screamed for help, he held a large knife to her throat, continued to choke her to unconsciousness, and proceeded to commit violent sexual offences, police say.

He is described as 5'10 and 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo on his right forearm that reads "Sante" and tattoos on his right wrist of two playing cards.

Upon release, Asante will be subject to several conditions, including not consuming alcohol or drugs, and following a treatment plan focused on emotional regulation, substance abuse and violence.

He must also immediately report all relationships and friendships with females, and any changes to the status of those relationships and friendships, to his parole supervisor.

He will also be subject to a 10-year weapons prohibition.

Police say they have released the information about Asante's release to allow members of the public to take measures to protect themselves, but warned any form of vigilante activity toward him will not be tolerated.

Anyone with information about Asante is asked to call the Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit at 431-489-8056, Winnipeg police at 204 986-6222 or their local RCMP detachment.