RCMP have charged two men with human trafficking following an investigation that began nearly three months ago.
On Jan. 26, an 18-year-old woman in Lloydminster, Alta. complained she had been forced to have sex and was being held against her will.
That led to a widespread investigation involving various sections of the RCMP in Lloydminster and across Canada. Lloydminster is about 250 kilometres east of Edmonton.
A short time after the investigation began, one man was arrested and held in custody, while police searched for a second man.
The suspect had fled Lloydminster, but was was eventually located in Manitoba, where he was arrested.
Police have charged Preston Carpenter, 32, of Edmonton, with trafficking in persons, obstruction, fail to comply with probation, possession of property obtained by crime, and possession of a controlled substance.
Cebien Dieujuste, 28, of Montreal, is charged with trafficking in persons, two counts of sexual assault and assault.
The victim is a Canadian citizen from Alberta.
She was given medical treatment after she was initially picked up, and was then provided emotional support from RCMP Victim Services.
Both accused remain in custody.
Dieujuste is scheduled to appear in provincial court in St. Paul on April 21 via CCTV.
Carpenter’s next court date is July 6, also in St. Paul and by CCTV.
St. Paul is about 200 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.
Public Safety Canada has more information about human trafficking here.