Busted sex ring used online classifieds website
The human trafficking ring that operated out of motels in Peterborough and several other southern Ontario cities before being busted by police used an online classified website called Backpages to seek customers, investigators say.
Police say three men brought a 14-year-old from Hamilton, a 20-year-old from Woodstock and an 18-year-old from St. Catharines to various motels in Peterborough, London, Mississauga, Toronto and Guelph, where they were made to work as prostitutes.
Kingston police Sgt. Brad Brooker said the women were kept in servitude by the men who doled out money in tiny portions to them and by using intimidation.
The trio of men advertised the women for sex at backpage.com, which has a section for escorts, strippers, body rubs and other adult services around the world, including Ontario. Many of the ads contain explicit photos and details of what acts are being offered.
Brooker said Backpages is commonly used by sex trade workers and by human traffickers. The website even contains a disclaimer reminding users to report suspected human trafficking and the exploitation of minors.
“There have been some attempts to shut it down because it is used for that purpose,” Brooker said. “Some in policing, though, argue against it because it is a useful tool for us in tracking these people down.”
Brooker said the men travelled around Ontario with the women, making them have sex for money in hotels. On Sept. 26 staff at a motel in Kingston watched one of the men interacting with a women and became concerned for her wellbeing. The motel employee called the police.
“We have a training program with local hotels to teach staff what to watch for. We had been working with his particular motel, and because of that training, the staff member was able to recognize the signs and call the police,” said Brooker, who noted the program is being expanded to more hotels in the area.
Kingston Police arrived at the motel and were able to confirm the identity of the 14-year-old girl and get her to safety.
Brooker said the girl was approached by one of the men at a shopping mall in July. Police say the men promised her a “lavish lifestyle.”
“That is not uncommon in human trafficking cases,” he said. “They are able to identify a vulnerable individual and befriend her and build a relationship.”
That relationship will often involve coercion to get the women to trade sex for money, including threats of violence and emotional manipulation.
Brooker said the older women had been trafficked by the men for substantially longer than the teenager was.
Two men from Mississauga, an 18-year-old and a 20-year-old, are charged with procuring a minor, trafficking a minor, two counts of trafficking a person, advertising for sexual services, and other human trafficking charges.
An 18-year-old man from Brampton faces the same charges plus charges of criminal harassment by threatening conduct, kidnapping, sexual interference and sexual assault.
All three men are in custody. Police did not name the men to protect the identity of the girl.
Brooker said the 14-year-old is “home safe and sound” as is one of the other women.
However, he said he had “grave concerns” about the third woman. He said she turned down help from police and victims’ services and does not know where she is.