Tag: Human Trafficking

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Durham Regional Police Police Press Releases

Woman Rescued From Ramone STEWART – Police Fear More Victims #DeathPenalty

A 35-year-old male is facing multiple charges after a human trafficking investigation involving a young woman being coerced into the sex trade.

In early June 2025, DRPS Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) launched an investigation into a male who was believed to be trafficking a female victim. The victim was transported by the accused to multiple countries for the purpose of trafficking.

On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, members of the DRPS HTU executed a Criminal Code search warrant at a residence in Oshawa. The accused was taken into custody without incident. During the search, several items were seized including cellphones, travel documents and banking information, as well as a quantity of drugs, and drug paraphernalia.

The Human Trafficking Unit is concerned there may be more victims and are releasing the accused’s photo.  Anyone who has been victimized or has any information is encouraged to contact the Human Trafficking Unit directly.

Ramone STEWART, age 35, of Oshawa is charged with numerous offenses including: Trafficking in Persons; Material Benefit from Sexual Services; Procuring; Withhold Identity Documents; Exercise Control/Direction/Influence; Possession Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking.

He was held for a bail hearing.

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OPP Orillia Police Press Releases

Human Trafficking – Jarett PHILLIPS Charged

(ORILLIA, ON) – A Windsor resident has been arrested and charged following a human trafficking investigation.

In May 2025, police received information about a victim being trafficked through online advertisements. Under the Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Human Trafficking Unit began an investigation and identified an additional victim.

As a result of the investigation, on Wednesday July 16, 2025, IJFS members from the OPP, and members of the London Police Service’s Tactical Support Services, Hamilton Police Service, Kingston Police, Ottawa Police Service, Peel Regional Police, and Toronto Police Service arrested and charged Jarett PHILLIPS, 30 years old of Windsor, with the following Criminal Code offences:

·      Communicate with anyone for the purpose of obtaining sexual services, section 286.1(1)

·      Procuring (recruit, hold, conceal, or harbour or exercise control, direction or influence), section 286.3(1) – three counts

The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa on Monday, July 21, 2025.

This case highlights the importance of multi-jurisdictional collaboration in combatting human trafficking. The OPP and its partners remain committed to identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in human trafficking while supporting victims and survivors.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with any information in relation to this investigation is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

If you or someone you know is being trafficked, contact your local police service or call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010. Resources for victims and survivors are available through the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking at CanadianCentretoEndHumanTrafficking.ca.

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Halton Regional Police Police Press Releases

Human Trafficking, Police Fear More Victims – Huddy Conserve Arrested Again!

The Halton Regional Police Service has arrested and charged a suspect in relation to a sex trafficking investigation.

In December of 2024, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) began an investigation into a report of an adult female that was allegedly being trafficked by the suspect in the Greater Toronto Area. Members of the HRPS Human Trafficking Unit took carriage of the investigation and determined that over the course of four months the suspect coerced, controlled and exploited the victim in the sex trade while the suspect benefitted financially from the exploitation.

As a result of the investigation, on January 4, 2025, Huddy Conserve (36), of Quebec was arrested and charged with the following:

  • Trafficking in Persons
  • Receive Material Benefit from Trafficking in Persons
  • Receive Material Benefit from the Sale of Sexual Services
  • Advertising Sexual Services
  • Procuring – Exercise Control
  • Assault
  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order

Conserve has been held in custody pending a bail hearing in Milton.

Investigators believe there may be further human trafficking victims and advise Conserve often utilizes the aliases of H Mafia and Christopher Deltor (Conserve Photo attached). Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Scott Heyerman of the HRPS Human Trafficking Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 4973.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

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Peel Regional Police Police Press Releases

Andre Davis Charged With Human Trafficking, Assault, Etc. 

Andre Davis

Region of Peel– Investigators from the Peel Regional Police Specialized Enforcement Bureau- Vice and Human Trafficking Unit have arrested and charged a 31-year-old man from Toronto in relation to a Human Trafficking investigation.

In October 2024, officers commenced an investigation after a victim approached police. The victim alleged the accused recruited, took control of aspects of a female adult’s life, exploited her in the sex trade, and benefited from it financially.

In November 2024, investigators arrested and charged Andre Davis with the following offences:

  • Trafficking in Persons
  • Advertising Sexual Services
  • Exercise Control, Direction or Influence
  • Receiving Benefit Resulting from Trafficking in Persons
  • Material Benefit from Sexual Services
  • Assault
  • Forcible Confinement
  • Assault with a Weapon
  • Forcible Confinement

He was held for a bail hearing and appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

Investigators from the Specialized Enforcement Bureau Vice and Human Trafficking Unit believe there may be more victims of Human Trafficking and prostitution offences. Any victims, witnesses, or anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact investigators at (905) 453-2121 ext. 3555.Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

For media inquiries, please contact the on-duty Public Information Officer at (905) 453-2121, ext. 4027.

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Durham Regional Police Police Press Releases

Child Rescued From Human Trafficker Shaun FAIRFAX

A male is facing charges after the completion of a human trafficking investigation.

On Monday, December 30, 2024, members of the Human Trafficking Unit (HTU), attended the area of York Street and Bremner Boulevard, in Toronto, in relation to an ongoing investigation. A male believed to be trafficking a 15-year-old female from Durham Region, was located and taken into custody without incident.  Subsequently, a search warrant was conducted on the suspect’s residence leading to the seizure of drugs and cash.

Shaun FAIRFAX, age 25 of No Fixed Address is charged with: Trafficking in Person Under 18, Material Benefit from Trafficking in Persons Under 18, Material Benefit from Sexual Services Under 18, Advertise Another Person Sexual Services, House Holder Permitting Prohibited Sexual Activity, and Procuring Under 18.

He was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with cell phone, dash cam, surveillance footage or information about this incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Winsor of the Human Trafficking Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5600.

The DRPS thanks the Ontario Government for its funding support of our Children at Risk of Exploitation (CARE) unit.  Our CARE unit combines the expertise of police officers and child protection workers to identify, investigate, locate and engage with children and youth at high risk of child sex trafficking.  If you or someone you know has been affected by human trafficking, please come forward to our investigators for support. 

The Region of Durham has established a support network for survivors, accessible through www.stopht.com.  Parents and caregivers can also use this resource to educate children about recognizing the signs of human trafficking.

Victim Services of Durham Region offers confidential support without judgement, available at www.victimservicesdurham.ca.

Together, we can make a difference in combating human trafficking.  If you have any information or concerns, please reach out to the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.

The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation.  These allegations have yet to be proven in court. 

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OPP Orillia Police Press Releases

Sheldon Lester SAUNDERS Facing Numerous Charges

(ORILLIA, ON) – Police have arrested an individual for human trafficking and child sexual abuse material offences.

The investigation, named Project Shrewsbury, began in August 2024, when members from Greater Sudbury Police and Kingston Police received information of a male recruiting and transporting two young females from their jurisdictions for the purpose of sex trafficking.

Due to the human trafficking element, the investigation was coordinated through the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) led Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS). Peel Regional Police became involved when it was identified that the offences against the females took place in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

On November 20, 2024, members of the OPP arrested 37-year-old Sheldon Lester SAUNDERS, of Scarborough, and have charged him with the following Criminal Code offences:

  • Assault Causing Bodily Harm, as per section 267(c)
  • Advertising Sexual Services, as per section 286.4
  • Procuring under 18 years, as per section 286.3(2)
  • Material Benefit Resulting from Trafficking in Persons, as per section 279.02(2)
  • Material Benefit from Sexual Services Received from Person under 18 years, as per section 286.2(2)
  • Traffic in Persons under 18 years of age, as per section 279.011
  • Disobey Court Order, as per section 127
  • Makes, Prints or Publishes any Child Pornography, as per section 163.1(2)
  • Possession of Child Pornography, as per section 163.1(4)
  • Imports, Distributes or Sells any Child Pornography, as per section 163.1(3)
  • Assault, as per section 266

The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear on December 16, 2024 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

The victims were taken to places of safety and provided support services. Police believe there may be additional victims and ask that anyone who has information come forward to their local police. A video related to the case is located here: https://youtu.be/Xr68ijQGQMg

Additional support was provided by the OPP Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement Squad and IJFS members from Toronto Police Service, York Regional Police and Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac.

The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking has resources available for victims and survivors of human trafficking on their website at canadiancentretoendhumantrafficking.ca. A national hotline is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-900-1010.

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London Police Service Police Press Releases

Another Pimp Arrested In London

LONDON, ON (April 19, 2024) – Members of the London Police Service Human Trafficking Unit have laid charges in relation to an investigation in the south end of the city.

Yesterday, April 18, 2024, investigators were in the 600-block of Wellington Road when they located a vehicle bearing stolen licence plates in a south-end parking lot. Officers observed a male operating the suspect vehicle. A female exited the passenger side and entered a nearby hotel.

At approximately 1 p.m., the driver of the suspect vehicle was arrested.

The investigation revealed that the suspect male had advertised sexual services of a female, and was financially benefiting from those services.

As a result of the investigation, Brant Rhiel Blanchette, 54, of Manitoba, has been charged with the following offences:

  • Material benefit from sexual services;
  • Advertising another person’s sexual services; and
  • Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000.

The accused is expected to appear in London court on June 3, 2024, in relation to the charges.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in online anonymously to London Middlesex Crime Stoppers. 

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Police Press Releases Waterloo Regional Police

WRPS Endanger Community By Withholding Names Of Human Traffickers

Waterloo Region, Ontario – Waterloo Regional Police have charged two individuals and seized proceeds of crime in connection to a human trafficking investigation in Cambridge.

In March 2023, police began an investigation after receiving a report that a business operating as a spa in the area of Industrial Road and McGovern Drive was offering sexual services.

Through investigation, police determined that the business and its owners were profiting from sexual services offered by the business and that women had been procured for employment providing sexual services.

On April 11, 2024, as a result of an ongoing joint investigation by members of WRPS’ Human Trafficking Team, Intelligence Services Branch, and the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit, police conducted a search warrant at the business and a residence in Cambridge. Proceeds of crime, including the unit the business was operating out of, the corporate bank account, and a luxury SUV have been seized/restrained.

A 45-year-old Cambridge female has been charged with several criminal offences, including:

  • Communication for the purpose of sexual services
  • Obtain material benefit from sexual services
  • Procurement (two counts)
  • Uttering forged documents
  • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000

A 58-year-old Cambridge male was also charged with obtaining material benefit from sexual services.

The accused parties were held in police custody for a bail hearing.

Human Trafficking investigators believe there may be more victims. If you or someone you know feels they have been the victim of sexual exploitation or crimes of sexual violence while working at this business, please contact WRPS’ Human Trafficking Team at [email protected] or the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010 or www.canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca.   

WA23057983 (985)

Waterloo Regional Police Service
Public Information Unit
519-570-9777 (WRPS) ext. 8188
[email protected]

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Durham Regional Police Police Press Releases

Pervert Alert: Dane GIFFORD Arrested For Pimping Teen

A male is in custody following a human trafficking investigation involving a 16-year-old female.

On Friday, February 23, 2024, members of the Human Trafficking Unit, with the assistance of the East Division Criminal Investigations Branch, conducted an investigation into an online advertisement for sexual services provided by a female believed to be underage.  The investigation confirmed the female was 16-years-old and staying at a residence in Brampton.  The female was located and brought to a place of safety without incident.

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, members of the Human Trafficking Unit attended the same residence in Brampton.  The subject of the investigation was observed leaving the residence in his vehicle.  Police initiated a traffic stop and took the male into custody without incident. 

Dane GIFFORD, age 34 from Brampton is charged with: Procuring/Exercising Control of a Person Under 18, and Advertising Another Persons Sexual Services.

He was released on an Undertaking.

A support network for survivors of human trafficking has been established in the Region of Durham.  These services can be accessed via www.stopht.com.

Victim Services of Durham Region is available for anyone that needs free, confidential support without judgement. Visit their website at www.victimservicesdurham.ca.

Anyone who has been victimized by the accused or has any information about this or similar incidents is asked to contact the Human Trafficking Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5600.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation.  These allegations have yet to be proven in court. 

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Durham Regional Police Police Press Releases

Repeat Offender Tajae REID Arrested For Human Trafficking

A male is in custody following a human trafficking investigation in Oshawa.

On Friday, December 8, 2023, at approximately 4:10 p.m., members of Central East Division responded to a check on well-being call in the area of Laval Drive and Stevenson Road, in Oshawa.  Officers located a female who advised she was left stranded by a male who had forced her to work in the sex trade.

On Tuesday, March 12, 2024, following an investigation by the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit, a search warrant was executed at a residence in the area of Jarvis Street and Dundas Street in the city of Toronto.  The male suspect was located and taken into custody without incident.

Investigators have concerns there may be more victims and are releasing photos of the accused.

Tajae REID, age 23 from Toronto is charged with numerous offences including: Trafficking in Persons, Financial/Material Benefit from Sexual Services, Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration, Procuring, Advertising Sexual Service, Disobey Court Order, Breach Probation and Possession of Cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

He was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone who has been victimized by the accused or has any information about this or similar incidents is asked to contact the Human Trafficking Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5600.

A support network for survivors of human trafficking has been established in the Region of Durham.  These services can be accessed via www.stopht.com.

Victim Services of Durham Region is available for anyone who needs free, confidential support without judgment. Visit their website at www.victimservicesdurham.ca.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

The information in this media release contains facts and circumstances that have been obtained from a police investigation.  These allegations have yet to be proven in court.