Registered sex offender charged with sexual assault in Winnipeg dorm room

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A convicted sex offender, Winnipeg police have warned the public that he has been charged twice with a brutal sex crime against a woman in the city since last year.

Early Friday morning, Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) said officers were called to a burglary and assault at a residence hall on the University of Manitoba’s south campus, where a woman reported a man entered her room while she was sleeping and attacked her physically.

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Police said they managed to fend off the suspect and called for help, which alerted campus security and law enforcement. She was treated for her injuries and her condition is stable.

Later that day, WPS held a press conference during which it released initial photos of the suspect and announced that the Sexual Crimes Unit was taking over the investigation.

On Friday around 11 p.m., police said they were alerted to a person matching the description outside a restaurant, just a few kilometers from where the alleged incident occurred.

The man, identified as Garry Edwards Jr., was arrested and investigators charged him with three counts of burglary and entering a dwelling with intent – one count each of illegally entering the Arthur V. Mauro Dormitory, a secure area in the building, and one count each of entering the woman’s dorm room .

Garry Edwards Jr., 46, is also charged with sexual assault, robbery and overcoming resistance by attempting to strangle, choke or suffocate another person.

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Advance warnings

As confirmed Winnipeg Free PressEdwards is a registered sex offender for whom authorities have issued two public warnings since he was first released from prison last year.

The first warning came in November 2023, when Edwards was released on parole after serving 12 years at Stony Mountain Institution on two 2013 convictions for brutal sexual assaults that occurred within an hour of April 12, 2012 .

During the first attack, Edwards – sometimes also known as Brendin Edwards, Gary Tait, Garry Crasswell and Garry Crassweller – grabbed a random 21-year-old woman off the street, choked her almost unconscious and threatened to stab her if she didn’t comply. comply, in accordance with provincial sex offender notification.

“Edwards then dragged the victim into a dark area of ​​a nearby building, robbed her and sexually assaulted her.”

About an hour later, Edwards attacked a second bystander, following her to a secure building, where he robbed and sexually assaulted her at knifepoint before fleeing in her vehicle.

He was later spotted in the vehicle and arrested.

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“The worst thing that was taken away that night was the person I was. I loved life. I was happy,” the second victim wrote in a victim impact statement presented in court, The Guardian reported. Winnipeg Free Press. “I no longer have the zest for life, the drive and ambition that I once had. I’m not myself anymore.”

He was found guilty of two counts of aggravated sexual assault, two counts of armed robbery, fleeing from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and theft of more than $5,000.

In May this year, justice and law enforcement officials issued a ruling another warning to society when Edwards was released from Stony Mountain again, this time after serving his sentence for illegal confinement.

Authorities noted in both notices that although Edwards was participating in court-ordered treatment while incarcerated, he remained at “a high risk of reoffending sexually and/or violently.”

“All women, both adults and children, are at risk,” he warned.

“Objectively Terrified”

Following Friday’s incident Global news stated that the university administration had contacted the campus community via email informing them that 24-hour security had been implemented in student residence halls and that exits and entrances would be routinely checked.

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“The safety and well-being of our university community remains our highest priority,” the statement read.

Cst. Dani McKinnon said at a news conference Friday that such incidents at the university “don’t happen regularly.”

Some of the students he talked to CityNews in Winnipeg they were “objectively horrified” but glad that the university was taking it seriously.

“Anyone could easily enter any of the buildings, but yesterday when we arrived here, someone was checking fobs and keys to make sure you were a resident,” Zoe Mora said. “So yes, it’s concerning, but it’s nice to see them taking action.”

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