Joint investigation catches youth human trafficker: police

Human Trafficking sign. (File photo/CTV News)

A 25-year-old Niagara Falls man faces human trafficking and abduction charges as a result of a joint missing person investigation between the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and Waterloo Regional Police Service.

“Sault police located the missing youth in the 200 block of Great Northern Road,” authorities said in a news release Friday.

“An investigation revealed the accused had picked up the victim — a youth under the age of 16 — from their residence in Waterloo, Ont., without parental consent and brought them to Sault Ste. Marie for the purpose of facilitating their sexual exploitation.”

According to police, their investigation also revealed the accused had assaulted and threatened the victim during their travels.

“The victim and accused are known to one another,” said police.

As a result, the man now faces numerous charges, including abduction of a person under 16, multiple counts of assault, procuring a person under 18, human trafficking and failing to comply with a probation order.

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing. police said.

The Sault Ste Marie Police Service is a member of the Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy: a specialized, multi-agency task force dedicated to disrupting and investigating human trafficking networks across the province.

Sault police said if you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, please report it to your local police service or Crime Stoppers.

More information about recognizing and reporting human trafficking can be found here.

Additional resources for assault survivors

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety, you should call 911.
• A full list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling can be found at ReeseCommunity.com. Resources in your community can be found by entering your postal code.
• Helplines, legal services and locations that offer sexual assault kits in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia can be found here.
• 24-hour crisis line: 1-416-597-8808
• Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 1-866-863-0511
• National Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone]
• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366
• Sexual misconduct support for current or former members of the Armed Forces: 1-844-750-1648

Read about your rights as a victim here.