Four men have been charged after police say they took turns “pimping” a 16-year-old girl in Brampton, Ont., before she was allegedly driven to a police station in an attempt to force her to recant her statement.
Peel Regional police said the teen was lured into the sex trade by a group of five men on Jan. 2 and worked as an escort over a six-week period in various locations around Peel Region “under the direction and control” of the suspects.
Four of the suspects were charged with human trafficking related offences and police have asked the public for help identifying the fifth suspect.
READ MORE: Man, woman from Brampton arrested in human trafficking investigation
On June 26, police said the same girl was “deceived” into going to a hotel in York Region, where she was allegedly confronted by three of the suspects from the original incident and a fourth man.
Police said the group then forced the girl into a vehicle and transported her to Peel Police 22 Division, where she was told to recant her statement regarding the first incident. The suspects then fled the scene after the girl told police about the situation.
Police announced Thursday that three of the four suspects in the second incident had also been arrested and charged.
- Semere Netzereab (a.k.a. Sousa or Samy), 19, of Mississauga, has been charged in the first alleged incident with trafficking in persons under 18 years of age, receiving a benefit from trafficking, procuring a person under 18, exercising control over a person under 18, deriving a material benefit from sexual services of a person under 18 and advertising sexual services.
- Minyaal Wur (a.k.a. General), 18, of Mississauga, has been charged in the first alleged incident with trafficking in persons under 18, receiving a benefit from trafficking, two counts of procuring a person under 18, exercising control over a person under 18, deriving a material benefit from sexual services of a person under 18, advertising sexual services and assault. He also faces charges in the second alleged incident including kidnapping, intimidation of a justice system participant and assault.
- Elyas Yusuf (a.k.a. Illy), 19, of Mississauga, has been charged in the first alleged incident trafficking in persons under 18, receiving a benefit from trafficking, procuring a person under 18 and deriving a material benefit from sexual services of a person under 18. He also faces charges in the second alleged incident including kidnapping, intimidation of a justice system participant and failing to comply.
- Yonis Osman (a.k.a. Gherbo), 20, of Toronto, has been charged in the first alleged incident with procuring a person under 18 and deriving a material benefit from sexual services of a person under 18. He also faces charges in the second alleged incident including kidnapping and intimidation of a justice system participant.
Investigators are still trying to identify two suspects allegedly involved in the incidents, described as follows:
- Suspect in first incident — male, black, aged about 25, goes by the name “Guwop.”
- Suspect in second incident — male, black.
Police are concerned there may be more alleged victims and anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact investigators of the Major Drugs and Vice Unit at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3515.
Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by visiting http://www.peelcrimestoppers.ca, or by sending a text message to CRIMES (274637) with the word “PEEL” and then your tip.
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