An 18-year-old Quinte West man said to be recruiting young girls into the escort service is facing several serious charges.
On February 14, members of the Kingston Police Street Crime unit began investigating the unnamed man for human trafficking. Officers discovered the accused had been sending messages to two 16-year-old Kingston girls that were synonymous with recruiting females to become escorts. The messages included promises of a new life with lots of money, shopping trips, clothing, dinners, alcohol and marijuana, provided they follow his business plan.
On Sunday, one of the girls ran away from her home with the accused. She was able to contact her mother. Detectives learned the girl was being held at a Port Hope address. Port Hope police immediately attended a residence in the west end of Port Hope. Officers were able to locate and safely recover the girl, but the accused was not present.
That same day Kingston and Port Hope police re-attended the address, located and arrested the accused without incident.
He was charged with sexual assault, forcible confinement, two counts of procuring persons under 18 for sexual services, and two counts of breach recognizance.