Man with ties to Peel Region accused of sex trafficking females
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A Thorold man with ties to Peel Region is accused of sex trafficking two females across the province, and authorities say there may be more victims.
Peel Regional Police announced the arrest Friday, acknowledging help from Halton Regional Police and assistance from Niagara Regional Police.
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Police said officers in Peel and Halton identified two females last month who were unknown to each other and alleged they had been sexually trafficked throughout the Golden Horseshoe area.
The suspect exercised control over aspects of their lives while profiting financially from it, cops alleged.
Following an investigation, police said it was determined that the suspect was living in the Niagara Region, and with the assistance of police in Niagara, he was located and arrested.
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Human trafficking units in Peel and Halton then executed two search warrants at residences in Thorold.
During the search, police said they located a loaded firearm, a large amount of ammunition, a drum magazine capable of holding 50 rounds of ammunition, and drugs.
Also seized was the suspect’s car as cops allege it was used for trafficking the female victims.
Marcus Moses, 37 years old, was charged with two counts each of procuring, trafficking in persons, exercise control, direction or influence, advertise sexual services, receive material benefit resulting from trafficking in persons, derive material benefit from sexual services, possession of prohibited device, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
He is also accused of six counts of possession contrary to an order as well as single counts of communicate with anyone for the purpose of obtaining sexual service, knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm, possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, and careless use of a firearm.
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“This investigation was a great example of the partnerships and collaboration maintained across the province to solve human trafficking cases,” Peel police said in a news release.
Investigators with Peel police believe there may be additional victims, particularly in the Golden Horseshoe area, and are encouraging them to contact police at 905-453-2121, extension 3555.
Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at peelcrimestoppers.ca.
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