Man who sexually exploited vulnerable Edmonton woman sentenced to 5½ years in prison

A man is going to prison for pressuring two women into the sex trade, one of whom he trafficked and sexually assaulted after initially offering to help her get off Edmonton's streets. 

Christopher Becks, 39, pleaded guilty last year to five offences, admitting to crimes that took place in 2022. Both victims' identities are covered by a publication ban.

Court of King's Bench Justice Marta Burns sentenced Becks on Wednesday to 5½ years in prison. With enhanced credit for time he's already spent in custody so far, he has about three and a half years left to serve.

"Obviously, the gravity of this offence is tremendous," Burns said.

"Human trafficking, even by its title, is something that is deplorable. That makes this a very, very grave situation."

Crown prosecutor Jim Stewart said Becks showed a "calculated coldness" in his efforts to control the victims, especially one woman who suffered a two-week period of "intensive exploitation."

Becks sat with his hands folded in the prisoner's box Wednesday. He spoke only once, when Burns asked him whether he wanted to address the court before he was sentenced. He shook his head and told her, "No."

Details of the case

An agreed statement of facts outlines how Becks approached one woman in July 2022 and arranged for her to perform sexual services, bringing her to a Leduc motel where "he had a client lined up for her." He waited for her outside in the parking lot, and she gave him most of the money she made.

He advertised sexual services provided by her and others through online classifieds.

In late September 2022, he met another woman, who was in her mid-20s and homeless at the time. He offered her food and shelter, as well as assistance recovering from a serious methamphetamine addiction that she told him about.

After he let her move into an apartment he controlled, he began supplying her with drugs, and within a few days, told her that she owed him money, and would have to work off the debts.

Becks took explicit photos of the woman and posted them online. He then brought her to another apartment where, despite her objections, she was pressured to perform sexual services for a dozen clients over two weeks.

During that time, Becks admitted that he also sexually assaulted the woman and threatened her, suggesting she could "wind up hurt or disappeared" if she didn't do what he said.

"You can imagine the impact," Stewart told the court.

"It was only to maintain that ironclad control over her."

Someone else who lived in the building eventually became concerned the woman was being exploited and took steps to help her get to safety.

When Becks was first arrested in 2024, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams said there could be at least 20 women who were targeted, based on online ads they alleged were linked to Becks.

He was charged only in relation to the two women in this case.

Burns accepted a joint submission from the Crown and defence, taking into account Becks' early guilty plea and the impact of a "fractured family life" detailed in a Gladue report, which examines the circumstances and background of Indigenous offenders.

Defence lawyer Katherine Clackson said Becks is receiving a significant sentence, especially given his lack of a prior criminal record.