NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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A 32-year-old woman from the Town of Richmond Hill has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of several offences in connection with a human trafficking investigation. On Dec. 11, 2018, following a trial in the Superior Court of Justice in Newmarket, Justice Minden found Pardis Senoubari-Abedini guilty of the offences of trafficking in persons, trafficking in persons under the age of 18, exercise direction and control, procuring to become a prostitute x2 and living on the avails of prostitution of a person under the age of 18.
On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, in the Superior Court of Justice in Newmarket, Justice Minden sentenced Pardis Senoubari-Abedini to eight-and-a-half years in prison for the eight offences in relation to human trafficking, as well as a fine of $185,000. The accused was arrested on June 1, 2016, after an investigation that began in May 2016 into a victim who had been forced to work in the sex trade.
“We continue to encourage 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 Section 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 Section at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6800, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS,or leave an anonymous tip online.
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