High-risk offender Anaiah Farray freed from prison

alleged street gang member who was twice turned down for parole because he was deemed too high a risk of reoffending has now been freed from prison.

Anaiah (Knox) Farray, 27, was arrested in a police sweep in October 2007. He was believed to be carrying a loaded firearm and seeking revenge after his brother was shot four times during a conflict over drug trafficking turf in west-end Montreal.

Farray's brother and another young person were wounded in two separate incidents during Thanksgiving weekend 2007.

The shootings sparked a special investigation, with police searching apartments on Grand Blvd. in Notre Dame de Grâce and seizing 600 rocks of crack, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy pills, $6,500 cash and a loaded handgun linked to Farray.

Months after his arrest, Farray pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to traffic and possession of a prohibited and loaded firearm.

On Nov. 24, 2008, the alleged member of a Bloods or Red-affiliated street gang was sentenced to a fouryear prison term.

After that, Farray was twice turned down for parole because the National parole board considered him too high a risk of reoffending.

In 2009, he was found to have made little effort toward rehabilitation. A written summary of the parole board decision stated: "Several police sources confirm that you and your brother were trying to control the drug trade in the area and were seeking revenge after your brother was shot four times."

In March 2011, Farray was denied release again after he was suspended from a school at his penitentiary, and he was still considered a risk of reoffending.

However, during that parole hearing, Farray's case management team noted progress and informed the board that Farray's sentence appeared to "have had a serious impact on (Farray) and a deterrent effect."

Because he was denied any form of release, Farray automatically qualified under federal law for a release after the two-thirds mark of his sentence, which was set at July 26.

The National Parole imposed a condition on his release prohibiting him from associating with anyone who has a criminal record or is involved with street gangs.