4 teens in Ottawa found as victims in Ontario human trafficking ring
Steevenson Joseph, 21, faces 36 charges for sexual assault, human trafficking, child pornography
Four of six victims discovered in an Ontario-wide human trafficking investigation were found in Ottawa and one local man faces 36 charges, Ottawa police say.
Project Northern Spotlight, a co-ordinated investigation that involved 21 different police forces across Ontario, saw police execute search warrants on June 17 and 18.
More than 100 women, including a 14-year-old girl, were interviewed as part of the investigation. Ottawa police and the RCMP were part of the investigation.
In Ottawa, four girls — three 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old — worked in the sex trade against their will, police said. They were rescued by police and a 21-year-old man was charged.
Steevenson Joseph faces a total of 36 charges related to human trafficking, sexual assault and child pornography.
Joseph remains in custody and he is scheduled to appear in court on July 3.
Police are looking for a second suspect, 19-year-old Levi Alexander of Toronto, who is currently wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for human trafficking charges in relation to a similar investigation where he allegedly forced a 16-year-old girl into the sex trade.
Police are asking anyone with information relating to Alexander to call 416-808-7474 or 416-222-TIPS.