Nanaimo Mounties have issued an arrest warrant for Joel Jason Smith, 35, who failed to appear at Nanaimo provincial court for a sentencing hearing Wednesday.
Smith was convicted of aggravated assault from an incident in 2010 when he attacked another man with a knife and inflicted life-threatening injuries on the victim.
Smith is Caucasian, 5'11", 190 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes and no visible scars or tattoos.
Smith is considered violent. Anyone who sees him is advised not to approach him and immediately call 911.
Anyone with information on Smith's whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.