On Friday November 29th, Randall Hopley once again appeared in front of a judge at the Cranbrook Court Office and received sentencing for the 2011 abduction of 3-year-old Kienan Hebert.

Hopley was sentenced to six years in prison with an additional year for a previous offence of breaking and entering in Alberta. A total sentence of seven years prison time was given, however he was credited 26 months for time already spent incarcerated awaiting sentencing.

In addition to his prison time Hopley was also found a long-term offender. This status indicates that Hopley has not been found to be a dangerous offender but will be supervised for a length of 10 years upon his release from prison.

Long-term offender status is generally awarded to those who are violent and sexual offenders who beyond a reasonable doubt stand the probable chance of re-offending.

To be found a long-term offender the accused must undergo psychological and behavioral assessments to be presented before the court. Any relevant information regarding previous offences and sexual preferences may be considered in cases such as Hopley’s.


Due to the long-term offender status being found, a dangerous offender status was not given. A dangerous offender status would mean that Hopley would serve an indefinite prison sentence. Justice Heather Holmes found that the threshold for an indefinite dangerous offender status was not met although it was sought by Crown prosecutor Lynal Doerksen.

Hopley’s defense attorney, William Thorne, argued that Hopley never harmed the boy over the course of the abduction and also that Hopley’s IQ is well below the normal standard. Thorne requested a 2-year federal prison term.

Hopley will be detained for an additional 5 years, making him 53 years old when he is released and 63 when his long-term offender status expires.