Greenwood man pleads not guilty to human trafficking charges

A Greenwood man handed a federal sentence earlier this year for his role in a targeted assault and robbery in Kentville has pleaded not guilty to human trafficking charges and will stand trial next year.

Franklin Dale Mckay, 29, is facing charges of recruiting, transporting and exercising control and direction over the movements of an individual for the purpose of exploiting her; receiving a financial benefit from human trafficking, withholding a document – the alleged victim’s Nova Scotia driver’s licence – for the purpose of committing an offence and receiving a material benefit from sexual services. It’s alleged that Mckay committed these offences in Greenwood between Jan. 1, 2015, and Jan. 4, 2018.

Mckay was present in Kentville provincial court via video on July 31. He pleaded not guilty to the four charges and elected trial by provincial court judge. The matters have been adjourned to Sept. 24 for a pre-trial conference and to Jan. 21, 2019 for trial. Mckay, who is already serving a federal sentence, has consented to being remanded in federal custody until his trial.

On April 19, Judge Daniel Macrury sentenced Mckay to a total of seven years and 30 days, less a 52-day credit given for time served on remand, on several charges. Mckay had earlier pleaded guilty to robbery and aggravated assault charges stemming from incidents that occurred in Kentville on Jan. 4. Mckay also pleaded guilty to several unrelated charges.

Two co-accused in the targeted assault and robbery, Stephen Ryan Mckay, 22, also of Greenwood, and Bryce Douglas Brooks, 24, of Glooscap First Nation, are scheduled to return to court on Sept. 25 for a focus hearing and to set preliminary inquiry dates. Both have elected trial by Supreme Court judge alone.