A 44-year-old man, Ryan James KNIGHT, has been charged following two separate sexual assault investigations involving youths.
In March 2025, the Winnipeg Police Service became involved in an exploitation investigation regarding KNIGHT. Police learned that KNIGHT had been hired by a family to do renovation work. Over the period of eleven months, he formed a trusting relationship with the family, including spending time with their teenage son. Between August 2024 and March 2025, the teenager was groomed and spent independent time at KNIGHT’s residence. KNIGHT provided him a cell phone so he could contact the teenager. During this time, the teenager was sexually assaulted at KNIGHT’s residence. The abuse was not reported until later in the investigation.
Upon learning of KNIGHT’s past, the family ceased all ties with him, and he fled Winnipeg. KNIGHT repeatedly tried to contact them and they reported the harassment to police. As a result, a warrant for criminal harassment was issued.
On March 22, 2025, with the assistance of the Calgary Police Service, KNIGHT was arrested in Calgary, and several electronic devices were seized. KNIGHT and the seized items were returned to Winnipeg.
He was released on a release order.
A subsequent forensic examination of the devices revealed child sexual abuse material.
On July 27, 2025, KNIGHT was arrested near Mountain Avenue and Aikins Street. He was charged with the following offences:
- Aggravated Sexual Assault
- Sexual Interference
- Makes, Prints, Publishes or Possess for the Purpose of Publication any Child Pornography
- Possession of Child Pornography
He was detained in custody.
As a result of this arrest, a search warrant was executed at a residence in the 700 block of Atlantic Avenue, where data storage devices were seized.
The investigation continued and a second teenage survivor was identified. Police determined, KNIGHT was a family acquaintance and built a trusting relationship with the survivor and his parent.
On August 24, 2024, the survivor was at KNIGHT’s residence for a sleepover when he was sexually assaulted. The abuse was not initially reported.
In October 2025, a forensic examination of all the seized devices revealed additional child sexual abuse material.
In consultation with the Crown, some of the initial charges that were laid in relation to the first survivor (in July), were stayed, but then re-laid along with the new charges pertaining to the second survivor (all charges shown below).
On January 25, 2026, the WPS Child Abuse Unit attended to the Headingley Correctional Centre and KNIGHT was arrested on the strength of an arrest warrant for the following charges:
- Sexual Assault x 2
- Sexual Interference x 2
- Makes, Prints, Publishes or Possess for the Purpose of Publication any Child Pornography
- Possession of Child Pornography x 2
- Access any Child Pornography
- Criminal Harassment
He remains in custody.
This investigation is continuing, anyone with information or who wishes to speak to an investigator can call the Child Abuse Unit at 204-986-3296.
The Winnipeg Police Service is committed to providing support to survivors of sexual assault. Resources include WPS Victim Services at 204-986-6350 and the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631.