Three charged with human trafficking
Police say the victims of the alleged incidents were able to escape and contact officers
Three men have been arrested in two separate human trafficking investigations, police say.
Over the course of five days, it is alleged a 26-year-old woman was sexually assaulted on “numerous occasions” by two men, whom she met on Oct. 2. In that time, police say money was stolen from her and both men refused her food. “When the woman said she wanted to leave, the men intimidated her and threatened to kill her,” police said.
The woman was able to escape on Oct. 6 and contacted police.
Tshibangu Kazadi, 26, and MarcEtienne Fortin, 25, are facing several charges including trafficking in persons, forcible confinement and advertising another person’s sexual services.
Both men appeared in court on Jan. 7.
Police say this ongoing human trafficking investigation could involve more than one victim.
The second investigation is looking into an alleged incident that occurred between Dec. 31 and Jan. 5, when an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old woman responded to a job advertisement placed online only to find themselves threatened, assaulted and exploited for sexual services, police say.
The advertised job was for a registered massage therapist and both women went to the sole male suspect’s apartment separately for what they believed would be an interview. The man allegedly recruited the women into the sex trade and took photos of them to advertise their services online. He arranged with clients to visit his apartment to have sex with the women in exchange for money. Throughout, he allegedly threatened the women to keep his control over them and sexually assaulted one of them.
On Jan. 5, after a woman was assaulted during an escape attempt, she managed to flee to police. Later that day, 57-year-old David Brown was arrested.
He is facing numerous charges including assault, sexual assault, trafficking in persons by recruiting, material benefit from sexual services and uttering threats.
He appeared in court the same day he was arrested.
Since police believe there may be more victims in the October trafficking case, they are asking anyone with information to come forward and contact police at 416-808-3200, or Crime Stoppers, anonymously, at 416-222-TIPS (8477).