Carson Parago appears in a video from January 19, 2025, posted by Centrepoint Church during his time working with the Winnipeg-based church. (YouTube/Centrepoint Church Winnipeg)
A 23-year-old youth pastor, Carson Alexandra Parago, has been charged with sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and related offenses following an investigation into the alleged abuse of a teenage camp counsellor. The Winnipeg Police Service’s sex crimes unit received information about the incident in March 2026, leading to the pastor’s arrest in early May.
Allegations of Grooming and Exploitation
According to the police, Parago allegedly groomed and gained the trust of the teen, who was a counsellor at a youth camp, between August 2025 and March 2026. The charges against him include sexual assault, sexual exploitation, luring a person under 18, and distributing sexually explicit material to a minor.
The police allege that Parago used his position to forge a sexual relationship with the teenager. They claim that the two met privately on multiple occasions, and that the pastor sent explicit material to the teen. These actions reportedly took place during the period Parago was employed as the pastor of family ministries and director of the Centrepoint Church’s day camp.
Church Involvement and Response
The lead pastor at Winnipeg’s Centrepoint Church, Glenn Krobel, confirmed that Parago was employed by the church during part of the time the alleged offenses occurred. However, Krobel explained that Parago had been on medical leave since August 2025 and was not active in his role at the church at the time of the alleged incidents. Parago submitted his resignation during his leave, although he remained on the church’s payroll until September 2025.
Krobel said that the church was fully cooperating with the police investigation and that the parents of the alleged victim directly reported the incident to him. He emphasized that the church took these matters very seriously and would support the criminal investigation. "We do not want to hide anything," Krobel added.
The church leader also acknowledged that Parago might have established the alleged inappropriate connection through his role with the church, despite the fact that the relationship went against the church’s policies and procedures. "Our church takes fiduciary care of minors very seriously," Krobel stated.
Parago’s Background and Court Proceedings
Parago, who had been employed at Centrepoint Church since May 2023, has no prior criminal convictions in Manitoba, according to court records. Following his arrest, he was released on conditions, but none of the charges have been proven in court at this time.
The case has sparked significant concern, given the role Parago held as a youth pastor. As of now, the investigation is ongoing, and the judicial system will determine the validity of the charges.
