London, Ont., police are asking for the public’s help in locating one of three men charged in relation to a human trafficking investigation.
Police say in May 2022, a woman from Whitby started talking with a man over a social media platform and agreed to meet with him at a shopping centre in Scarborough.
After the meeting, police say the man offered to escort the woman home, but when she realized that they were not heading towards her home, the man showed her a gun.
The woman then told police the man threatened her if she did not comply with his demands.
Between June 5 and June 18, the man directed the victim to attend various locations outside the city of London, where she was sexually assaulted on multiple occasions and continuously threatened, police say.
The victim reported to police that on June 18, 2022, she was brought to London, where she was forced to perform sexual acts for money in various locations within the city.
The man introduced her to two other men, who also sexually assaulted the woman and forced her to perform sexual acts for money, police say.
On June 26, 2022, the victim was able to escape from the situation and contact the police.
As a result of this investigation, three men are facing multiple charges.
Justin Steven Adams, 35, of London, was arrested and remains in custody.
Police have not been able to locate Matthew Parris-Cassidy, 32, of London, and as such, they are charged by way of warrant of arrest.
Jonathan Drummond, 37, of no fixed address, was arrested Wednesday thanks to tips from the public, police say.
Police have jointly charged the three with trafficking in persons by recruiting or exercising control, financial or material benefit of trafficking person over 18, forcible confinement, extortion, material benefit of sexual services, as well as material benefit from sexual services.
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Drummond also faces 11 additional charges, which include assault, sexual assault, possession of a firearm while prohibited, advertising another person’s sexual services, and withholding or destroying travel of identity documents for trafficking in a person over 18.
Adams is additionally charged with sexual assault and uttering threats to cause death.
Parris-Cassidy is individually charged with assault, assault with a weapon, sexual assault, robbery and uttering threats to cause death.
Investigators are releasing photos of Matthew Parris-Cassidy and Jonathan Drummond and suspect that there may be other victims. They encourage those victims to contact the police.
Anyone who suspects someone of being a victim of human trafficking, or who may have information as to the whereabouts of the two wanted men, is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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