Sex assault charges against basketball referee stayed

A Winnipeg basketball referee has had criminal charges against him stayed after being accused of sexual assaults involving three men. Michael Shane Maryk, 45, had been set to stand trial on July 20 on five counts of sexual assault and two counts of committing an indecent act. However, he agreed to a one-year peace bond instead, which prohibits him from having any contact with the three men.

The peace bond requires Maryk to remain at least 200 metres away from the men's homes, schools, and places of worship and to have no contact with their families. His lawyer, Jay Prober, confirmed that Maryk understands the conditions of the peace bond and has not had contact with the individuals for several years. Maryk was arrested in November 2023, seven months after the allegations were made.

Two men alleged that Maryk had sexually assaulted them in 2010/2011 and 2020, while a third man claimed he was sexually assaulted by Maryk at his home in August 2020. The third man did not provide further details about his accusations. Both of the first two men claimed they did not report the incidents initially due to fear that their refereeing careers would suffer.

News stories prior to Maryk's arrest described him as a provincial supervisor for the Manitoba Association of Basketball Officials, but he was removed from any leadership role following the investigation.