Whitehorse RCMP are warning the public about the return to Whitehorse of John Walter Sam, a convicted sex offender with what police are describing as a high risk to re-offend.

Sam, 40, was convicted in November 2002 of sexual assault.

He was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in a federal penitentiary in B.C. and labelled by the court as a long-term offender.

At the time of his sentencing for fondling a young girl in February 2002, the court heard of previous sexual crimes. They included a seven-year sentence in 1991 for a conviction of raping a 14-year-old girl at knifepoint.

In the press release issued Thursday afternoon, the RCMP maintain Sam is a high risk to re-offend against women and children.

'As Sam poses a moderate to high risk of re-offending, the RCMP has decided to release a public notification on him to raise community awareness and enhance community safety,' says the release.

RCMP spokeswoman Brigitte Parker said this morning the description 'high risk' to re-offend comes from the report on Sam prepared by the National Parole Board.

Sam is scheduled for release from prison Monday, Suzie Goodwin of Corrections Canada confirmed this afternoon.

Sam is of aboriginal descent, is five feet, eight inches tall, weighs 180 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair.

Under release conditions imposed by the board, Sam is to reside at a community residential facility.

He must abide by curfews imposed, abstain from the use of drugs and alcohol and to have no contact with children or youth under the age of 18 unless supervised by an adult approved by his probation officer.

He must also take whatever counselling he's ordered to, as well as participate in a community sex offender program.

'Anyone observing Sam in possible violation of the above conditions are asked to contact their local RCMP detachment immediately,' says the RCMP press release.

A long-term offender designation carries with it the ability of the Crown to impose treatment and living conditions for up to 10 years after sentencing.

Two years ago, Sam said he'd never return to Whitehorse.