Man charged with 19 offences in connection to investigation, outstanding warrants: Winnipeg police

Winnipeg police say a 42-year-old man is facing numerous charges after being taken into custody on outstanding warrants earlier this month.

WPS says on April 7, WPS officers, along with the Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit (MIHRSOU) and RCMP, attended a hotel in the Niakawa neighbourhood, where they attempted to arrest a man who was wanted on warrants into custody.

Reports indicate that the man was spotted in the hotel lobby with a large dog before he fled and entered a suite.

Officers followed and informed him they were there to take him into custody. The man then tried to secure the door, however, police were able to enter the room.

Once inside, officers noticed the man attempt to grab a knife from his waistband, while his dog attempted to bite an officer.

Police were able to use less-lethal munitions, and take the man into custody. They were also able to secure the dog, which was later taken to receive medical attention.

The man was also taken to a hospital, where he was assessed and cleared.

Following this, Matthew Barry Stoesz was charged with six offences, including sexual interference and breach of a prohibition order — dating back to July 2023, failing to comply with an order or obligation — dating back to November 2024, assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, possession of a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting a peace officer.

An investigation continued, and MIHRSOU reportedly uncovered additional incidents spanning between 2022 and 2025 to which Stoesz is allegedly connected. The incidents involve a woman, and abuse to dogs and cats in his possession.

Following the discovery on April 29, MIHRSOU laid 13 additional charges, including sexual assault, forcible confinement, harassment, fraud, and causing unnecessary pain/suffering to animals, to name a few.