NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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A 44-year-old man from the City of Brampton has been sentenced to six years in prison after being found guilty of several offences in connection with a human trafficking investigation. On Thursday, March 28, 2019, in the Superior Court of Justice in Newmarket, Judge McCarthy sentenced Courtney Salmon to six years in prison for the offence of human trafficking and two years to be served concurrently for the offence of material benefit from human trafficking.
On Nov. 2, 2018, in the Superior Court of Justice in Newmarket, a jury found Mr. Salmon guilty of the offences of human trafficking, material benefit from human trafficking, exercise direction and control and material benefit from sexual services. The accused was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, after an investigation that began in June 2016 into a victim who had been forced to work in the sex trade from Nov. 2015 to April of 2016.
“We are hopeful that a finding of guilt in this investigation encourages victims of human trafficking to reach out to us for help” said Chief Eric Jolliffe, “Our trained investigators work tirelessly to ensure that criminals who seek to victimize vulnerable members of our community are held accountable for their actions."
Members of the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit - Human Trafficking Team are continuing their aggressive efforts in combating human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women and underage girls. In many cases, victims are forced into the sex trade through violence, threats of violence, coercion and trickery. York Regional Police is committed to investigating all incidents relating to human trafficking and providing assistance to victims.
Investigators are willing to speak with anyone involved in the sex trade who may be looking for a way out or who may require assistance to escape these dangerous circumstances. Anyone with further information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit - Human Trafficking Team at 1-866-876-5423, ext.7817, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS,or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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