Halton police have arrested six people who were allegedly trying to arrange sex with a minor.
Between Nov. 6 and 8, officers with the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Human Trafficking Unit began Project Lonestar, which is the second phase of an initiative that aims to identify and arrest offenders communicating to obtain sexual services from females under the age of 18.
During the investigation, police say, several suspects arranged meetings for sexual services, despite being told they were communicating with a female who was only 15 years of age.
As a result, six accused were arrested and charged with communicating for the purpose of obtaining for consideration the sexual services of a person under the age of 18.
“Human Trafficking is hidden beneath the surface but exists in communities all over Ontario. It is an alarming and reprehensible crime. Traffickers are recruiting victims as young as 13 years of age. The conditions, situations, manipulation, exploitation and violence that victims endure are unimaginable,” said Inspector Dave Costantini of Regional Investigations and Emergency Services who oversees the Service’s initiatives in relation to Human Trafficking.
“The HRPS Human Trafficking Strategy mirrors our National and Provincial plans, taking an enhanced approach. Our Service will continue to utilize proactive and preventative measures such as Project Lonestar to identify, prosecute and hold accountable those who would engage in the predatory victimization of our most vulnerable,” Costantini added.
Project Lonestar is the second project in as many years to target those who are willing to obtain sexual services from children.
In 2022, the HRPS conducted Project Embark, a similar project that spanned three days.
The investigations utilize covert investigative techniques, and due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, the HRPS will not be releasing the names of the accused at this time.
If you are victim or human trafficking or if you suspect someone is being trafficked, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) urges you to cal1 911 or the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010. Additional information and resources can be found on the HRPS website.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.
