Youth pastor charged with sexual assault of teen: Winnipeg police

A 23-year-old youth pastor has been charged in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage camp counsellor.

A 23-year-old youth pastor has been charged with the sexual assault of a teenage camp counsellor.

The Winnipeg Police Service says officers from its sex crimes unit received information in March regarding an alleged sexual assault involving an adult pastor who led a youth camp group.

Police allege the pastor groomed and gained the trust of the youth camp counsellor—who was a teenager at the time—between August 2025 and March 2026.

In a news release, police stated the pastor “forged a sexual relationship by grooming and gaining the trust of a youth camp counsellor.” Police also allege the two met privately on multiple occasions and that the pastor sent sexually explicit material to the teenager.

Carson Alexandra Parago was arrested and charged Thursday with sexual assault and sexual exploitation. He was also charged with luring a person under 18 and distributing sexually explicit material to a minor.

Glenn Krobel, lead pastor at Winnipeg’s Centrepoint Church, confirmed to CTV News that Parago was employed by the church for part of the period covered by the alleged offences, though he had been on medical leave since August.

Krobel said the alleged victim’s parents contacted him directly with the allegations and that the church promptly filed a police report.

“We as a church want everyone to know that we are fully supporting the criminal investigation as needed,” Krobel said. “We do not want to hide anything.”

According to Krobel, Parago joined the church in May 2023 as pastor of family ministries and also served as director of its day camp. He went on medical leave in August 2025 for reasons unrelated to the accusations and was not in an active role at the time.

Krobel said Parago submitted his resignation during that leave but remained on payroll until September 28, 2025.

“We do recognize that he may have developed the connection for that alleged relationship through his employment previous,” Krobel said.

“This would have been, as reported, against all our policies, procedures, training, et cetera,” he added. “Our church takes fiduciary care of minors very seriously.”

A court spokesperson told CTV News that Parago has no prior convictions in Manitoba.

Police said Parago was released with conditions.

None of the charges have been proven in court.

Resources for sexual assault survivors in Winnipeg are available by calling the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631 or the Winnipeg Police Services victim services unit at 204-986-6350.

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If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling. 
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: [phone]
• Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.