A two-week undercover investigation by the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit has resulted in 11 arrests and 44 charges.
Project Chestermere 2 targeted “johns” who were looking for sexual services from 16- and 17-year-old females. Officers posed as young females online and made arrangements for dates at local hotels. When the male customer arrived, they were arrested by members of the Human Trafficking Unit.
The 11 males charged range in age from 23 to 60. Most were citizens of Durham Region, except for two men from Toronto and one from Quebec. They are now facing charges including: Sexual Exploitation of a Young Person; Obtaining Sexual Services for Consideration; Luring a Person Under 18 years of Age by Means of Telecommunication; and Agreement to Commit a Sexual Offence Against a Person Under 18 Years of Age.
The DRPS Human Trafficking Unit is committed to investigating incidents of exploitative and/or forced sex-trade work and is committed to helping all victims and connecting them with community resources to support them. The DRPS would like to appeal to any person who may be involved in a similar situation or may know someone involved, to come forward. We take these cases seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation and protect the victims of this crime.
The Human Trafficking Unit would like to thank everyone who assisted with this initiative, including hotel and motel operators. Anyone with new information about human trafficking in Durham Region can contact Det. Davies of 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 http://www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
