Girl, 16, threatened with knives, pellet gun to work in sex trade: Toronto police

A pair of 19-year-old men have been arrested after allegedly luring and threatening a 16-year-old girl to work in the sex trade.

Toronto police said the accused met the girl through a mutual friend and forced her to have sex with clients over a three-day period in a motel located in the east-end of the city.

Police said the two men took nude photographs of the girl and posted them online advertising her sexual services.

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READ MORE: Montreal men charged after forcing woman into sex trade, threatening to kill dog: police

She was forced to turn over all of the money earned as she was threatened with knives and a pellet gun, police said.

The girl managed to escape and the two men were arrested on July 2.

Austin Williamson and Joshua Presley, both from Toronto, were charged with 20 criminal offences including trafficking in persons under 18 years, forcible confinement, sexual assault and possession of proceeds of crime.

READ MORE: Ontario promises to spend up to $72 million to fight human trafficking

Both appeared in court on July 3. Police believe there may be more victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at http://www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).