CHESTERMERE, ALBERTA — RCMP have issued a press release to warn residents of the lakeside city after the release of Trong Minh Nguyen from prison on April 21, upon completion of the former gang member's sentence.
According to the Chestermere RCMP detachment, Nguyen was incarcerated for conspiracy to commit murder and counselling and indictable offence which was not committed.
In their release, Chestermere RCMP referred to Nguyen as a high-risk offender who has been convicted in the past of firearms offences, assault of a peace officer, and failing to comply with his release conditions.
"The RCMP is issuing this information and warning after careful deliberation and consideration of all related issues, including privacy concerns, in the belief that it is clearly in the public’s interest to inform the members of the community of the release of Trong Minh Nguyen," the release stated. "The RCMP believes that there is a risk of significant harm to the health and safety of the public."
A CBC report stated Nguyen was a previous member of the FOB gang in Calgary, and he was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison in 2018 for plotting to kill a rival gang member. Due to time already served by 2018, his remaining sentence was for 3.5 years.
Nguyen, 38, is described as a Vietnamese male, standing 5'5" and weighing approximately 170 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.
Though they want the public to know about Nguyen's release, Chestermere RCMP urged residents to not "embark on any form of vigilante justice" in terms of confronting him.
"...the intent of the process is to enable members of the public to take suitable precautionary measures and not to embark on any form of vigilante action," the release stated. "Anyone believing that a crime has been or is about to be committed is encouraged to call police. If the matter is felt to be of an urgent nature, please call 911 to report the location and circumstances."
