The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team said Thursday a 15-year-old girl was rescued from human trafficking and three Edmonton men have been charged with a total of 35 criminal offences.
Three suspects were arrested as recently as June 29 after a two-month investigation, ALERT said.
“The suspects allegedly procured the youth for sexual services.”
Edmonton police were first contacted about a teenager being sexually exploited, ALERT said.
“The investigation revealed the youth was first groomed online, which escalated to nude photography, and eventually she was steered into the sex trade,” the news release explained.
“Perpetrators are very skilled at grooming and manipulating their victims with gifts, money, affection; but it’s all a mirage,” ALERT Acting Staff Sgt. Chris Hayes said.
“What this survivor endured was appalling and represents a heart-breaking set of circumstances.”
ALERT said the girl is receiving support and specialized care.
Tyson Shaw, 24, Islam Montasser, 26, and Amir Idris, 30, have been jointly charged with:
- Trafficking a person under the age of 18
- Material benefit
- Procuring a child
- Advertise sex service
- Arrange sexual offences against a child
- Invitation to sexual touching
- Making child pornography
- Distribute child pornography
- Possession of child pornography
- Administer a noxious substance
Additionally, Shaw has been charged with:
- Sexual assault of a person under 18
- Sexual contact with a child
- Sexual counsel of a child
- Indecent exposure to a person under 16
Montasser was also charged with sexual assault of a person under 18.
Anyone with information about this investigation or any human trafficking offence is encouraged to contact local police or Crime Stoppers.
Survivors of sex trafficking can call 211 for help.