Halton Regional Police Service Rescues One Exploited Victim, Charges Hamilton Man as Part of Operation Northern Spotlight

(HALTON, ON) – The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has charged a Hamilton man with three offences as part of an Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.) coordinated, national investigation to suppress human trafficking.

Dubbed Operation Northern Spotlight, members of 36 police services from across Ontario, including Halton Regional Police Service, directly engaged with people suspected of partaking in the sex trade, potentially against their will. During coordinated investigations over a six-day period, police charged 25 people with 67 offences. Police were also able to ensure the safety of 16 people who had been working in the sex trade as a minor or against their will. A total of 207 police officers and support staff engaged with 199 people and offered them information and contacts with community-based support agencies.

Charges resulting from the operation include Trafficking in Persons under 18, Trafficking in Persons, Procure Sexual Services under 18, Procure Sexual Services, Receive Material Benefit under 18, Receive Material Benefit, Communication for the Purpose of Obtaining Consideration the Sexual Services of a Person, Exercise Control, Make Child Pornography, Distribute Child Pornography, Possess Child Pornography, Child Luring, Advertise Another Person’s Sexual Services, Assault, Obstruct Police, Resist Arrest, Weapons Dangerous, various Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) and Failure to Comply with Court Orders and Conditions including Breaches of Recognizance and Probation.

As part of their role in Operation Northern Spotlight, officers with HRPS’ Morality Unit engaged eight potential exploited victims working in the Halton area, rescuing one.

Twenty-four year-old Sean TRACEY has been charged with Procuring a Person to Offer or Provide Sexual Services for Consideration, Advertising Sexual Services, and Receive Material Benefit from Sexual Service as a result of the HRPS investigation.

Like our counterparts

Over 150,000 Monthly Readers! 1 Million+ Across the entire FreePress Network.