TORONTO – Toronto police have arrested two men and a female youth in connection to a human trafficking investigation that involved a 13-year-old girl being forced into the sex trade between Oct. 27 and Nov. 9.
“This is a very disturbing investigation,” said Sex Crimes Inspector Joanna Beaven-Desjardins during a press conference Friday morning.
“If there was not a demand for sex with a child then there would not be a need for predators like this to force our children into the sex trade for monetary gain.”
It is alleged the female suspect befriended the victim on Facebook in October, created a false friendship and lured her away from her home.
“The female gained the victim’s confidence by telling her they can work together and make a lot of money, along with her boyfriend,” said Beaven-Desjardins.
Police said the victim agreed to meet the female youth and two other men when she was told of their plans to have her work in the sex trade.
“The victim told them she did not want to engage in these acts. However, she was advised it was no longer her choice and was threatened with physical violence if she did not follow their direction,” Beaven-Desjardins said.
Police said the victim was then told by the trio that she would be taken to Niagara Falls to provide sexual services to prospective clients.
In Niagara Falls, the suspects allegedly took photographs of the victim and placed them on online escort ads. One of the male suspects then allegedly sexually assaulted the victim on three separate occasions.
Upon returning to Toronto, police said the victim was forced to have sex with men in various hotels and private residences in the city and the Brampton area.
Police said the victim was forced to turn over all of her money.
The victim managed to escape after she was beaten by one of the accused and feared for her life. She was able to sneak out of the home she was staying at and flag down a citizen who called 911, police said.
A search warrant was executed at the residence of one of the accused where all three suspects were located and placed under arrest.
The suspects have been identified as Kamal Howard Paris, 22, Aleko Allen, 19, and a 17-year-old female youth who cannot be identified under the Youth Justice Act.
Paris faces 12 offences related to human trafficking and sexual assault of a minor under 16 while Allen faces charges of human trafficking and procuring and exercising control.
The female youth faces eight charges of trafficking a person under the age of 18.
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