Sex trafficking probe in Mississauga-Brampton leads to charges against Oakville pair

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Published May 26, 2023 at 9:46 am

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Two Oakville people are facing human trafficking and other charges after a young woman was brought from Winnipeg to the Mississauga-Brampton area against her will and forced to work as an escort.

Investigators with the Peel Regional Police Specialized Enforcement Bureau-Vice Unit say a man and woman convinced the victim to leave the Manitoba capital late last summer and work as an escort in Peel.

The investigation, which was put in motion after a victim complained to Winnipeg Police in August 2022, revealed that once the young woman was away from home, she was exploited by the two people who had lured her away.

They “exercised control over aspects of her life, and profited financially,” police say.

Peel police arrested two people over the last two days.

Christopher Warren Williams, 39, and Ayusha Pandey, 23, both of Oakville, are each charged with:

  • procuring
  • human trafficking
  • receive material benefit
  • derive material benefit
  • exercise control, direction or influence
  • advertise sexual services

Williams was held for a bail hearing while Pandey was released to attend court at a later date.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, and are urging them to contact police at 905-453-2121, ext. 3555, or the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010.

Christopher Warren Williams, 39, of Oakville.

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