2 GTA men charged with luring a woman into the sex trade
Posted April 9, 2019 10:34 am.
Last Updated April 10, 2019 5:43 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A Whitby man and a Toronto man are facing a total of 21 charges after they allegedly lured a woman into the sex trade earlier this year.
In January, the Toronto Police Service Human Trafficking Enforcement Team began to investigate after it was reported that a man had used a noxious substance to knock a 22-year-old woman unconscious.
He then allegedly pressured her and coerced her to work in the sex trade and tattooed her body with his nickname “Sosa” to let people know she was his property.
Police said the man then teamed up with a second suspect and advertised her services in the sex trade on numerous websites.
Both men allegedly set up meetings for her with clients to provide sexual services.
It was reported that that the men used deception, intimidation and fear to exercise control over the woman’s actions. Police said that during this time she was exploited, assaulted, threatened with a firearm by both men and continued to be drugged to keep her awake to service clients.
Both men allegedly kept the money she earned.
On February 19, Simon Ho-On, 23, of Toronto, was arrested and charged multiple offences including human trafficking, assault, advertising another person for sexual services and exercising control.
One month later, Domenic Lees, 24, of Whitby, was arrested and charged with 12 offences including human trafficking, assault, theft, administering noxious substances, threatening bodily harm and advertising another person for sexual services.
Police say they are concerned there may be more alleged victims and are encouraging anyone affected by the two suspects to come forward.
