Fort St. John veterinarian to return to court for sex offender registry decision

Update, June 11th, 10:40 a.m.: A previous version of this story said Justin Sewell’s next court appearance will be on June 12th. In fact, this will be a closed meeting with the judicial case manager.  The date for the judge’s decision is still to be determined. Energeticcity.ca is happy to set the record straight.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John veterinarian Justin Sewell may have to register as a sex offender after returning to court this week. 

Sewell pleaded guilty to sexual assault in 2022 and was sentenced to two years’ house arrest in April 2025 and was required to submit his DNA.

Under the conditions of his release, Sewell can continue his veterinary practice. 

Sewell appeared in court on June 9th to determine if he must register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA).

SOIRA is federal law passed in 2004 to assist police in preventing and investigating crimes of a sexual nature by having all sex offenders’ information made readily available. 

According to the BC Prosecution Service, Sewell’s defence made further submissions to the judge. 

A meeting with the judicial case manager on June 12th will determine the date for the judge’s decision.

The Crown also filed an appeal for Sewell’s sentence with a hearing scheduled for July. 

To prevent the victim and witnesses from being identified, details from the hearing are under a publication ban.