Georgetown, Ont. man charged in human trafficking investigation

A man from Georgetown, Ont. is facing several charges, including human trafficking, for his alleged involvement in the sex trade, Peel Regional Police said.

Authorities opened an investigation in January 2024.

It is alleged that the accused recruited and exploited multiple victims into the sex trade and took their earnings. Officers located these victims and determined that the same man had trafficked them.

On Tuesday, police arrested 32-year-old Viktor Semchyk of Georgetown, Ont.

He’s been charged with human trafficking, exercising control, receiving benefits resulting from trafficking persons, procuring, deriving material benefit from sexual services and advertisement.

He was held for a bail hearing and appeared in court.

“Investigators from the Specialized Enforcement Bureau Vice Unit believe there may be more victims of human trafficking and prostitution offences and/or witnesses to this investigation and are urging anyone with information in relation to this investigation or the unknown suspect to contact them,” a police spokesperson wrote in a news release.