A former Saint John councillor and youth minister convicted of child sex-related offences will have to stay in a community correctional centre after his statutory release date.
Donnie Snook is serving an 18-year federal sentence on 46 child exploitation-related charges. He pleaded guilty in 2013 to crimes involving 17 boys over a 12-year period.
Most of his victims were from the Saint John area and were between five and 15 years old. His charges included touching a child for a sexual purpose, producing child pornography, and sexual assault.
In a recent decision, the Parole Board of Canada said Snook has no confirmed release plan and is financially unstable since he has not been able to secure employment.
“It is determined that you continue to require the close supervision and support beyond your day parole to further stabilize, reduce risk and to ensure that viable release alternatives are confirmed,” the board wrote in its ruling.
Snook has been on day parole since May 2023 and has to follow 11 conditions, which include avoiding “negative individuals,” following a treatment plan, reporting relationships, not using a computer, abstaining from pornography, and not being around children.
His statutory release date is in March while his overall sentence is set to continue until late 2030.
