Toronto man faces 30 charges in Windsor-based human trafficking probe

Windsor police tells CBC News that the officer's direction to a youth to assault another person lead to a
Windsor police tells CBC News that the officer's direction to a youth to assault another person lead to a

A Toronto man was arrested and charged following a human trafficking investigation, Windsor police say.

In a statement, police said that on Sept. 15, the department's morality unit investigated after a 26-year-old woman told officers she was forced to work in the sex trade.

Police said the woman was sexually exploited over a one-month period, "with the suspect controlling her money, food, and movements.

"The suspect also threatened and physically assaulted the victim multiple times over that period, including one incident where he threw an object at her and broke a front tooth," police said.

The 28-year-old suspect allegedly brought the victim from Toronto to Windsor, where she escaped and went to police.

On Sept. 23, authorities located and arrested the suspect in Toronto.

Windsor police officers also located the suspect's vehicle in the area of 1000 block of Parent Avenue where police said they uncovered a firearm, over "$140,000 in illicit drugs, including 379 grams of fentanyl, 92 grams of cocaine, 717.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine, and 81 tablets of oxycodone."

The 28-year-old was taken back to Windsor on Thursday and charged with:

  • Trafficking in persons by exercising control.

  • Procuring a person to offer or provide sexual services.

  • Advertising another person's sexual services.

  • Financially or materially benefiting from trafficking a person.

  • Material benefit from sexual services.

  • Assault with a weapon or imitation weapon.

  • Assault.

  • Three counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

  • Four counts of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking.

  • Possession of a loaded regulated firearm.

  • Possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm without a licence.

  • Storing a firearm carelessly.

  • Occupying a motor vehicle with a firearm.

  • Eight counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition while prohibited.

  • Escaping the lawful custody of a peace officer.

  • Failure to comply with an in-custody order.

  • Two counts of Breach of probation.