Durham police say a 35-year-old man currently serving a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence for human trafficking-related offences is now facing 12 additional charges.
According to investigators, in March, the Human Trafficking Unit received information that the inmate was attempting to procure victims while serving his sentence at a federal penitentiary. Police allege he contacted victims through social media and telephone while in custody.
Two more victims have since come forward, providing information that between 2018 and 2020 they were exploited and coerced into performing sexual acts in exchange for money. Police say the suspect created online advertisements detailing services and prices, collected all earnings, and even flew victims to British Columbia to increase revenue.
Investigators allege the suspect monitored one victim’s cellphone activity by mirroring it to his own device, and when Covid-19 restrictions affected income, one victim was forced to hand over their federal CERB payments.
Police say the man has continued to contact past victims from prison in an attempt to regain control and coerce them back into sex trafficking.
Following the investigation, a judge’s order was issued and 12 additional charges were laid in connection with both historic and recent offences.
Investigators believe there may be more victims and are urging anyone with information to contact the Human Trafficking Unit at 905-579-1520, ext. 5230.