Crown Consent to Release High-Risk Sex Offender Carpenter on Trespass Charge Won't Be Disclosed

The BC Prosecution Service has confirmed that Crown Counsel consented to the release of Michael Wayne Carpenter on August 13, 2026, following his arrest on a loitering charge—but the agency will not disclose why it made that decision.

As HighOnCity reported, Carpenter, a man designated a high-risk sex offender, was arrested shortly before midnight on August 12 after Langley RCMP responded to a report of an unknown man in a backyard in the Willoughby area. He was charged with trespassing at night under Section 177 of the Criminal Code, an offense that applies when someone loiters or prowls at night on another person's property near a dwelling house. The charge has not been tested in court.

In response to questions HighOnCity raised about why Carpenter was released despite his classification, the BC Prosecution Service said it does not disclose reasons behind bail decisions except in rare cases where the Assistant Deputy Attorney General determines it is in the public interest to do so. The agency pointed to its Bail – Adults policy as guidance for Crown Counsel in making these decisions.

Carpenter's release proved short-lived. On August 17, the Crown sought and was granted a warrant for his arrest for failing to report to a bail supervisor. That same day, Langley RCMP responded to a break-and-enter at an apartment complex in the 19700-block of 64 Avenue. Carpenter was arrested and subsequently charged with break and enter of a dwelling house and obstructing a peace officer. Both charges are allegations that have not been tested in court.

The Crown has applied to revoke bail on the original loitering charge and is seeking Carpenter's detention on both new matters. He is now in a reverse onus situation—meaning the burden shifts to him to show why he should be released—and has been consenting to remain in custody while preparing a release plan for court. A bail hearing is scheduled for September 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Surrey Provincial Court.

In 2020, Vancouver Police issued a public notice about Carpenter following convictions for sexual assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, and uttering threats. According to that notice, he poses a risk of significant harm to vulnerable female children, youth, and adults.