On June 17 and 18, 2015, as part of Operation Northern Spotlight, members of 18 police services pre-arranged to meet with people suspected of partaking in the sex trade, potentially against their will, at urban locations across Ontario. During the coordinated investigations over a two day period last week, police charged three people with 54 offences. Police were also able to ensure the safety of five females who had been working in the sex trade as a minor or against their will, including three 15 year olds, 16 year old and a 19 year old. 90 officers and support staff combined to interview 122 people – including 110 women and offered them information and contacts with community-based support agencies.
Charges include:
1. Trafficking in Persons under 18 years
2. Trafficking in Persons
3. Financial / Material Benefit from Trafficking in Person Under 18 years
4. Material Benefit from Sexual Services provided by Person under 18 years
5. Procuring / Recruit Person under 18 to provide Sexual Services
6. Procuring / Person under 18 years
7. Advertising another person’s Sexual Services
8. Administer Noxious Substance
9. Sexual Assault
10. Sexual Interference with a Person under 16 years of age
11. Invitation to Sexual Touching under 16 years of age
12. Print / Publish / Possess to publish Child Pornography
13. Import / Sell / Distribute Child Pornography
14. Unlawfully Possess Child Pornography
During the initiative, a participating Police Service conducted an intelligence probe with a female in their jurisdiction for a possible intervention. Officers spoke with the female, who was in the company of a male. Further investigation revealed that the male was in possession of a loaded firearm and drugs. He was also wanted on an outstanding First Degree Murder Warrant. This demonstrates how violent Human Trafficking investigations can be and the danger victims are in when being forced into prostitution. The male was charged with the following charges:
1. Warrant in the First – First Degree Murder
2. Unauthorized possession of a Firearm
3. Knowledge Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
4. Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
5. Carry Concealed Weapon
6. Occupant Knowing Firearm
7. Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition is in Motor Vehicle
8. Careless Use of a Firearm
9. Possession for the Purpose – Cocaine
10. Possession of a Schedule II Substance
11. Possession of Proceeds of Crime
The following police services participated in this phase of Operation Northern Spotlight:
• Toronto Police Service
• Durham Region Police Service
• Guelph Police Service,
• Waterloo Regional Police Service
• Woodstock Police Service
• North Bay Police Service
• Thunder Bay Police Service
• Greater Sudbury Police Service
• Barrie Police Service
• Peel Regional Police
• Saugeen Shores Police Service
• Sarnia Police Services
• Stratford Police Service
• Windsor Police Service
• Ottawa Police Service
• OPP, Hamilton Police Service
• Halton Regional Police Service
• RCMP.