Calgary human trafficking suspect facing additional charges – Calgary | 24CA News
A Calgary man has racked up further costs in reference to an Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) human trafficking investigation that started earlier this 12 months.
In May 2023, investigators grew to become conscious of a person concentrating on teen ladies within the Calgary space and sexually exploiting them. At the time, one 15-year-old sufferer was recognized.
Police have since been capable of establish three further victims, every between the ages of 16 and 18, resulting in further costs being laid.
“We’ve continued with our investigation and believe that he was actively exploiting these teens, and other girls as well. We’re releasing his photo now in hopes to encourage other survivors to come forward and share any information they have with police,” mentioned Staff Sgt. Colleen Bowers, ALERT human trafficking.
Police mentioned in a news launch Wednesday that each one victims will obtain entry to needed assist and assets from a security community co-ordinator that works in partnership with the ALERT unit to offer enhanced assist to survivors.
The Calgary Police Service, the Lethbridge Police Service and FINTRAC additionally assisted with the investigation.
Benjamin Loewen, 21, is now dealing with 12 further costs, together with:
- sexual assault
- sexual interference
- two counts of fabric profit from sexual companies of an individual beneath 18
- two counts of procuring an individual beneath 18
- two counts of constructing youngster pornography
- two counts of distribution of kid pornography
- commercial of sexual companies
- extortion by threats
Loewen stays on home arrest with numerous circumstances. His subsequent courtroom date is slated for Aug. 28.
Anyone with details about this investigation is requested to name the Calgary Police Service or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
ALERT encourages anybody who believes they’re a sufferer of sexual assault to report it to the Calgary Police Service by calling 403-266-1234, or 911 if they’re in fast hazard. There is not any time restrict on how lengthy a sufferer has to report a sexual assault in Canada.
“It’s important that his victims know about Bill C-36. The Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act makes it illegal for a third party to benefit from a person who is working in the sex trade, or is being sexually exploited,” Bowers added.
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