Full Breakdown
Winnipeg Councillor Russ Wyatt Faces New Sexual Assault and Drug Charges
8/13/2026, 9:17:57 PM
Core Event
The Winnipeg Police Service also charged him with possession of psilocybin after a search warrant executed on April 2 uncovered about seven grams of the substance. The new charges add to two offences announced in March 2024 for a separate alleged incident in December 2025, bringing the total to five criminal charges. Wyatt was released on an undertaking pending court proceedings.
Background & Context
Wyatt first served on Winnipeg City Council from 2002 to 2018, representing the Transcona ward. He stepped away in 2018 for treatment of substance-abuse issues and returned to council after the 2022 municipal election. Prior to the current case, he faced a sexual-assault charge in 2018 that was stayed by the Crown in 2019. In March 2024 he was charged with sexual assault and drug-related offences for the 2025 incident; those charges remain before the court.
Data & Statistics
- Charges: Five criminal offences – two sexual-assault counts, two “administering a noxious thing” counts, and one possession of psilocybin charge.
- Psilocybin seized: Approximately seven grams, valued at an estimated $240 on the street.
- Investigation start: Winnipeg Police Service said the investigation into the 2023 incident began on April 25, 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
- Mayor Scott Gillingham said the new charges are “deeply concerning” and reiterated his earlier call for Wyatt to step away from council duties, describing his continued presence as “a distraction” that could undermine public confidence.
- Attorney Evan Roitenberg, representing Wyatt, asserted that his client is “presumed innocent” and will contest the charges in court.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
City-level statutes do not permit the removal of an elected councillor solely on the basis of criminal charges. The City of Winnipeg Charter states that a seat is forfeited only upon conviction of certain serious offences, leaving a procedural gap while charges are pending. Both the mayor and council speaker have called for provincial legislative review to provide municipalities with additional tools for such situations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These new charges are deeply concerning,” — Scott Gillingham, winnipeg mayor
- “I repeat what I said previously: (Coun.) Wyatt should step away from his duties immediately while these matters are dealt with. His continued presence at city hall is a distraction and risks undermining public confidence in council,” — Gillingham. The City, an elected official
- “It’s not a time for politicking. This is dealing with people who’ve been injured and assaulted, and I hope that they get the support and treatments that they need, and that the justice system does its work and does it diligently,” — Shawn Nason
What’s Next
No trial dates have been set for any of the five charges. The councillor has not registered to run in the upcoming October municipal election, and the council’s ability to limit his duties remains constrained by existing municipal law.
