Peel Police bust human trafficking ring

Investigators with Peel Regional Police’s Vice Unit have completed a proactive human trafficking project named “Rescue Innocence”.

In February 2011, Peel Regional Police received a funding grant, of over $47,000.00, from the Province’s Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. The grant was to be utilized to proactively investigate persons at risk within the sex-trade industry.

During February and March 2011, investigators were able to identify several persons at risk, rescue them from harm, arrest suspects, and lay human trafficking-related and firearm charges.

The following suspects have been charged as a result of Project Rescue Innocence:

Raynard BELL, a 28 year-old man from Toronto, is charged with:

· Possession of a Prohibited Weapon;
· Unauthorized Possession of a Restricted Firearm;
· Unauthorized Possession of a Loaded Restricted Firearm;
· Careless Storage of a Firearm;
· Possession of a Firearm without Licence;
· Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose; and
· Breach of Firearms Prohibition.

Tori-Lynn McGRUTHERS, an 18 year-old female of no fixed address, is charged with:

· Knowledge of an Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm;
· Possession of a Loaded Restricted Firearm;
· Careless Storage of a Firearm;
· Possession of a Firearm without Licence;
· Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose;
· Assault Police;
· Mischief Over Five Thousand Dollars; and
· Personation.

Pawel MICHON, a 42 year-old man from Mississauga, is charged with:

· Human Trafficking;
· Receiving Benefit Resulting From Trafficking in Persons;
· Procuring, Exercise Control, Living on the Avails of Prostitution; and
· Extortion.

Gregory SALMON, a 28 year-man from Brampton, is charged with:

· Living Off the Avails of a Person Under Eighteen.

Juteah DOWNEY, a 33 year-old man from Kanata, is charged with:

· Procuring and Exercise Control.

Rebekah BLOOMFIELD, a 23 year-old female from Ottawa, is charged with:

· Procuring and Exercise Control.

Bethuel MASERUKA, a 34 year-old man from Ottawa, is charged with:

· Exercise Control.

Brian WRIGHT, a 27 year-old man from Toronto, is charged with:

· Assault Police; and
· Breach of Recognizance.