Ont. police searching for convicted sex offender who allegedly cut off ankle monitor while on bail

Chengyuan Chad LI, 27, of Markham, is shown in this handout photo. (York Regional Police)

York Regional Police are making a public appeal for information about the whereabouts of a convicted sex offender who is alleged to have cut off a GPS monitoring device while awaiting sentencing.

Police say that the accused engaged in sexual activity with a person under the age of 18 in June 2023 in the City of Toronto and was subsequently charged criminally.

In May, he was found guilty of obtaining sexual services for consideration under 18 and failure to comply with a judicial release order.

Police say that while awaiting sentencing on July 22, the suspect cut off his GPS ankle monitoring device.

He was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison last month but remains outstanding.

Police say that Chengyuan Chad LI, 27, of Markham, is now wanted for failure to comply with a judicial release order and mischief under $5,000.

“The accused is encouraged to seek legal advice and turn himself in. Investigators are reminding the public that anyone providing assistance to him may be subject to criminal charges,” a news release issued on Monday states,