Sean Michael O'Reilly has demonstrated considerable rehabilitative efforts following numerous crimes committed on Vancouver Island. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

showing progress

‘This is a success story:’ offender flips script following Nanaimo & Island crime spree

Jun 9, 2025 | 5:29 AM

NANAIMO — Previously embroiled in crimes of dishonesty for survival and to feed his addiction, an offender vows he’s firmly on the road to recovery.

A unique case demonstrating significant rehabilitative efforts was outlined in provincial court in Nanaimo regarding 42-year-old Sean Michael O’Reilly.

He was sentenced on Friday June 6 after pleading guilty to eight offences, including fraud related charges in Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River for crimes in 2022 and 2023.

Crown counsel’s Leanne Mascolo told the provincial court hearing O’Reilly stole a wallet containing several bank cards from a Courtenay man in July 2022, then fraudulently made nearly $200 worth of early morning purchases from a convenience store and gas station.

O’Reilly used the victim’s driver’s license in an unsuccessful bid to take a loan from a Campbell River payday loan business with use of the victim’s ID.

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Fingerprints and business surveillance footage positively linked O’Reilly to the crimes.

O’Reilly was then jailed for similar separate offences, as well as a second jail tenure the following year.

On December 3, 2023 O’Reilly attempted to use another man’s identity to buy a luxury vehicle from a Nanaimo dealership.

During the purchasing process, O’Reilly was flagged as a fraud risk by the dealership’s financial manager.

When O’Reilly was asked to provide additional information to verify his identity, his ruse fell apart.

“That’s when the individual, who was later identified as Mr. O’Reilly, became nervous and stepped outside,” Mascolo said.

Nanaimo RCMP were called, however O’Reilly had already taken off.

A dealership employee later positively identified O’Reilly in a police photo lineup.

Three days later, O’Reilly attempted to book two Nanaimo hotel rooms using a third party’s ID.

An employee, who also worked at another hotel, recognized O’Reilly for checking in elsewhere with a fake ID.

Nanaimo RCMP were called and O’Reilly was arrested.

He was in custody for nearly six months between Dec. 6, 2023 and late May 2024.

“Mr. O’Reilly is doing extremely well, he has been out of custody for well over a year now,” the Crown’s Mascolo said.

Sean Michael O’Reilly was credited for making significant rehabilitative efforts. He received a non-custodial sentence after pleading guilty to multiple charges. (Facebook)

‘This is a success story’

Eric Chesterley, O’Reilly’s lawyer, told court his client completed five months of treatment at Nanaimo Correctional Centre’s (NCC) Guthrie Therapeutic Community, followed by 90 days in a residential treatment program, before moving to a Victoria-based sober house.

Chesterley told court: “This is a success story”, referring to extensive rehabilitative efforts made by O’Reilly, who’s now a Courtenay resident.

O’Reilly consented to remain in custody longer in order to complete rehabilitation programming at NCC, according to Chesterley.

O’Reilly continues participating in counselling, while he also mentors residents at a south Vancouver Island treatment cente.

“In three years he has gone from being homeless on the street to being a peer counsellor and also having contained his navigational requirements to be a vessel captain,” Chesterley said.

He stated O’Reilly has a verbal commitment to be hired as a tugboat operator.

Chesterley said O’Reilly was extremely focused when he went into custody in December 2023, led by living a sober lifestyle.

O’Reilly put together and is now executing a comprehensive post-release plan, Chesterley reported.

“It’s not as simplistic to ‘just say no.’ It’s not that simple in terms of alcohol and drugs. You’ve got to change habits, friends and all kinds of things to do that.”

An updated pre-sentence report also spoke glowingly of O’Reilly’s post-offence conduct.

Judge Brian Dybwad accepted a joint sentence recommendation of a one-year Conditional Sentence Order, followed by one year probation with numerous conditions.

The initial year of the sentence features house arrest between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., which includes carve-outs for O’Reilly’s employment.

“It’s always good for a judge to be able to see these types of efforts being made to turn around your life and to become a more positive, contributing member of society,” judge Dybwad said.

O’Reilly was supported in court by his mother, girlfriend and representative of a south Island residential treatment facility.

Thirteen charges applied against O’Reilly were stayed by the Crown in exchange for the guilty pleas.

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