Arrest made in Human Trafficking Investigation,
Man faces 18 new criminal charges,
Photograph released

Broadcast time: 17:00
Date: Friday, March 6, 2020
Unit: Sex Crimes
Phone: 416-808-7474
Case #: 2020-153253


On Thursday, January 23, 2020, members of Sex Crimes - Human Trafficking Enforcement Team commenced an investigation in the City of Toronto.

It is alleged that:

- within a short period of meeting each other; a man procured the victim into the sex trade

- he proceeded to forcefully administer illicit drugs to the victim, further maintaining control over her and continuing the cycle of exploitation

- through threats and intimidation he continuously would control and exploit the victim into the sex trade

- over an extended period of time, he assaulted, sexually assaulted, choked and forcibly confined the victim

- through assistance from the public the victim was able to escape

The Human Trafficking Enforcement Team, with the assistance of the Emergency Task Force, 11 Division and 43 Division officers, located and arrested a man.

Jamaal Koehler, 25, of Toronto, was arrested on Thursday, January 23, 2020, and charged with:

1) two counts of Sexual Assault 271 CC
2) Trafficking in persons by recruiting, transporting, and harbouring 279 01(1) CC
3) Financial and Material benefit resulting from trafficking in persons 279.02 CC
4) Material Benefit from Sexual Services 286.2 (1) CC
5) Forcible Confinement C.C. 279(2) CC
6) four counts of Assault 266 CC
7) Threaten bodily harm/death 264.1(1)(a) CC
8) Administer Noxious Substance C.C. 245(b)
9) Overcome Resistance to offence/ attempt to choke 246(a) CC
10) Overcome Resistance to offence/ administer drug 246(b) CC
11) two counts of Assault with a weapon 267(a)
12) two counts of Forcible Confinement C.C. 279(2)

He is scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East, on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, 10 a.m., room 412.

A photograph of the man has been released.

Police are concerned there may be more victims.

Police would also urge anyone who has been a victim of Human Trafficking to come forward to police. We want to make sure that everyone has access to support services and an exit strategy, regardless of their decision to proceed criminally.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.

Human Trafficking means every person who recruits, transports, transfers, receives, holds, conceals or harbours a person, or exercises control, direction or influence over the movements of a person, for the purpose of exploiting them or facilitating their exploitation, for a sexual purpose or a forced labour purpose. Victims can be men, women or children; can be Canadian citizens; and can be moved across local, provincial or national borders. They can be coerced through violence or the threat of violence against family and friends. The Human Trafficking Enforcement Team of Sex Crimes is dedicated to investigating these crimes against vulnerable members of society. For more information, please visit the Sex Crimes website.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

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Constable Caroline de Kloet, Corporate Communications, for Detective Earle Davies, Human Trafficking Enforcement Team