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Kingston Police and Ontario Provincial Police filed an additional 19 charges, bringing the total to 95, and are seeking additional victims in the ongoing joint investigation called Project Shamrock.
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According to Kingston Police, the joint investigation began in January 2022 when they learned of an individual luring women and girls through social media platforms for exploitative purposes. The OPP Human Trafficking Unit Joint Task Force Strategy, Kingston Police, Ottawa Police Service, Peterborough Police Service and OPP Digital Forensics conducted a comprehensive investigation.
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Initially, 10 victims were identified and assisted through a victim services agency and are now in a safe location. The defendant was arrested on April 6, 2022, and due to the ongoing police investigation and increased public awareness from a previous press release, additional victims were identified, resulting in the filing of more charges. The investigation was supported by Kingston Victim Services and the OPP IJFS Victim Specialist of the OPP Victim-Centred Approach Team.
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As part of the ongoing investigation, a 38-year-old Kingston resident has been charged with 95 crimes, including sexual assault, forced confinement, stalking and child pornography. The accused is in custody.
“The success of Project Shamrock is an important message that as a police community we remain committed to investigating and holding accountable those who commit these predatory crimes,” Kingston Police Chief Antje McNeely said in a statement. “We will work tirelessly to help reduce victimization and protect the most vulnerable in our communities. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their unwavering dedication and continued work in this important area.”
Police want to know of other potential victims and urge anyone with additional information to contact OPP’s non-emergency number at 1-888-310-1122 or local police. If you or someone you know may be a victim of these crimes, call 911 immediately.
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“The IJFS was created to support victims and hold traffickers accountable for their crimes, and that goal was achieved,” Chuck Cox, Deputy Commissioner, Provincial Commander – OPP Investigations and Organized Crime. “IJFS members conducted extensive research, demonstrating the importance of law enforcement associations in rescuing victims of exploitation. Our communities are safer because of the dedication of this team.”
The Canadian Anti-Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-900-1010. Human trafficking resources are available at canadiancentretoendhumantrafficking.ca
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