submitted by OPP
23 charges laid in 10-month investigation
Police have arrested four individuals and laid 23 criminal offences during a joint human trafficking investigation.
In October 2022, police were made aware of a female youth being human trafficked across Ontario and Quebec. Under the Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Ottawa Police Service, Kingston Police Service and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service began an investigation. The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) also assisted with this investigation.
Evidence revealed that the victim indicated that they had been sexually exploited since 2019. The victim is now in a place of safety.
As a result of the investigation, four individuals were arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
A male, 26 years old from Ottawa, has been charged with:
- Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, as per Section 117.01(1),
- Sexual Assault, as per Section 271,
- Assault, as per Section 266,
- Procuring, as per Section 286.3 (1), two counts,
- Traffic in Persons, as per Section 279.01,
- Material Benefit Resulting from Trafficking in Persons, as per Section 279.02(1),
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services, as per Section 286.2(1),
- Advertising Sexual Services, as per Section 286.4 C.C,
- Possession of a Prohibited device or ammunition, as per Section 92(2), and
- Possession of a Schedule I substance for the Purpose of Trafficking, Section 5(2) CDSA.
He remains in custody following a bail hearing.
A male, 22 years old from Vanier, has been charged with:
- Traffic in Persons, as per Section 279.01,
- Material Benefit Resulting from Trafficking in Persons, as per Section 279.02(1),
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services, as per Section 286.2(1),
- Procuring, as per Section 286.3 (1), and
- Advertising Sexual Services, as per Section 286.4.
He remains in custody following a bail hearing.
A female, 26 years old from Ottawa, has been charged with:
- Traffic in Persons, as per Section 279.01,
- Procuring, as per Section 286.3(1), and
- Advertising Sexual Services, as per Section 286.4.
She has been released from custody. She is scheduled to appear on December 12, 2023, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa.
A female, 23 years old from Ottawa, has been charged with:
- Traffic in Persons, as per Section 279.01,
- Material Benefit Resulting from Trafficking in Persons, as per Section 279.02(1),
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services, as per Section 286.2(1), and
- Procuring, as per Section 286.3 (1).
She has been released from custody. She is scheduled to appear on December 12, 2023, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa.
Police suspect there may be other victims and are urging anyone with any additional information to contact the OPP non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122 or their local police. If you or someone you know may be a victim of these crimes, call 9-1-1 immediately.
The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-900-1010. Human trafficking resources are available at canadiancentretoendhumantrafficking.ca.
