Winnipeg youth pastor charged with sexual assault of teenage camp counsellor

Key facts

• Carson Alexander Parago, 23, is a pastor and youth camp director in Winnipeg.
• He faces charges of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, luring a person under 18, and distributing sexually explicit material to a minor.
• The alleged offences occurred between August 2025 and March 2026.
• The victim was a teenage camp counsellor at the time.
• Parago was arrested on April 30, 2026, and released under court-ordered conditions.
• Police began investigating in March 2026 after receiving a report.

Allegations of grooming and exploitation

Winnipeg police allege that Carson Alexander Parago, a 23-year-old pastor and youth camp director, forged a sexual relationship with a teenage camp counsellor by grooming and gaining her trust over several months. The relationship, which police say began in August 2025 and continued until March 2026, involved multiple private meetings and the sending of sexually explicit material to the teen. Parago was arrested on April 30 after police were alerted to the allegations in March. He has been charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation, luring a person under 18, and distributing sexually explicit material to a person under 18. The charges have not been tested in court.

The accused: a pastor and youth camp director

Carson Alexander Parago, 23, served as a pastor and youth camp director in Winnipeg. His role placed him in a position of trust and authority over young people, including the teenage camp counsellor who is the alleged victim. Police have not disclosed the victim's age or sex, nor the specific camp or church involved. Parago was released from custody under court-ordered conditions following his arrest. The conditions of his release have not been made public.

Timeline of the alleged offences

According to police, the alleged sexual relationship began in August 2025 and lasted until March 2026. During this period, Parago is accused of meeting the teen on multiple occasions in private locations in Winnipeg and surrounding areas. He also allegedly sent sexually explicit material to the victim. The Winnipeg Police Service's Sex Crimes Unit launched an investigation in March 2026 after receiving information about the alleged assault. Parago was arrested in Winnipeg on April 30.

Legal proceedings and community response

Parago faces four criminal charges: sexual assault, sexual exploitation, luring a person under 18, and distributing sexually explicit material to a person under 18. He has been released from custody pending his next court appearance. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerability of young people in faith-based youth programs. Support services for survivors of sexual assault are available through Winnipeg Police Service victim services at 204-986-6350 and the Klinic sexual assault crisis line at 204-786-8631.

Broader context of abuse in youth ministries

The charges against Parago come amid a series of high-profile cases involving clergy and youth leaders in Manitoba. In a separate case, a Winnipeg pastor was recently sentenced to two years in prison for arranging to meet a teen for sex acts. Another case involved a pastor convicted of sexual assault in a sweat lodge ceremony. These incidents have prompted calls for greater oversight of youth programs and background checks for those working with minors. The case also highlights the ongoing issue of sexual exploitation of young people by trusted adults.

What comes next

Parago's next court date has not been announced. The investigation is ongoing, and police have not ruled out additional charges or victims. The alleged victim continues to receive support from advocacy groups. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting young people from abuse. As legal proceedings unfold, the community awaits further details on the allegations and the outcome of the trial.

The bottom line

• Carson Alexander Parago, 23, is charged with sexual assault, exploitation, luring, and distributing explicit material to a minor.
• The alleged offences spanned eight months, from August 2025 to March 2026.
• The victim was a teenage camp counsellor; police have not disclosed age or sex.
• Parago was arrested April 30 and released under conditions.
• The case adds to a pattern of abuse cases involving youth leaders in Manitoba.