Nova Scotia man arrested following joint human trafficking investigation

A 31-year-old man has been charged with human trafficking offences following a joint investigation between Alberta and Nova Scotia.

The investigation by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams' (ALERT) Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit and Nova Scotia's Provincial Human Trafficking Unit began in June 2020, after a woman contacted police.

It is alleged the woman was being procured for sex by a man who was known to her, with the offences taking place in the Edmonton area in November and December of 2019.

“This is such a dehumanizing offence and it took tremendous courage for the victim to come forward,” said Acting Staff Sgt. Chris Hayes of ALERT in a news release Tuesday.

Both the man and woman are from Nova Scotia. The woman has since been offered support and specialized care resources.

On April 6, the man was arrested at a home in the community of Bear River in Digby County, Nova Scotia. He was remanded into custody and is currently being transported to Edmonton to appear in court.

“This investigation highlights inter-agency co-operation across Canada and the ability of investigators to complete these types of investigations no matter where the crime occurs,” said Sgt. Derrick Blanche of the Nova Scotia Provincial Human Trafficking Unit in the release.

William Meuse, 31, has been charged with human trafficking, material benefit — trafficking, procuring, advertising sexual services, and distribution of intimate images.