Charges over alleged sex trafficking in Toronto

A suspect is facing a list of charges in connection with his alleged sex trafficking of a woman in the Toronto area, police said.

Toronto police said their Human Trafficking Unit opened an investigation into the incident in November.

According to police, the woman met the suspect after moving to Ontario.

Police said the victim was sex trafficked through “a combination of deception, coercion and physical violence” for approximately five months in Toronto.

“The money earned during the smuggling period was transferred to the defendant,” police said in a statement on Sunday.

Human Trafficking Unit officers made an arrest on November 10 in the area of ​​Victoria Park Boulevard and Danforth Boulevard.

Police say 22-year-old Leighton Keen Junior Whitfield, also known as “2C” of Toronto, is now facing a number of charges.

These include: financial benefit from sexual services; ensuring/implementing control; advertise another person’s sexual services; Person who is over 18 years of age and engages in financial/pecuniary gain/smuggling; four attacks; two counts of assault by strangulation; assault with a weapon; and making threats that will cause bodily harm.

Police released a photo of the defendant and said they were concerned there may be more victims.

Investigators are asking anyone with more information to contact police or call Crime Stoppers anonymously.