Two men charged in human trafficking investigation in Halton

Two men are facing charges after a human trafficking investigation by the Halton Regional Police Service.

Police say they began the investigation in February 2023 after receiving a report of a 17-year-old female who was allegedly being sexually trafficked by a man within the Burlington and Greater Toronto Area.

Investigators say they found three additional adult females who were identified as being sexually trafficked by the same man at various periods beginning in December of 2022, and a second man was also involved in sexually trafficking one of the adult female victims.

Aaron Verghese, 22, of Burlington, is facing charges including trafficking a person (child victim), making child pornography, four counts of knowingly advertising sexual services, and three counts of procuring.

 Verghese was held for a bail hearing and remains in custody pending trial.

William Osei-Opoku, 28, of Pickering, faces charges of trafficking a person, receiving material benefit for the purpose of trafficking, knowingly advertising sexual services, and procuring.

Osei-Opoku has been held in custody pending a bail hearing in Milton.

Investigators say there may be more victims of human trafficking by Verghese and Osei-Opoku, who use the aliases “Ace” and “Jay.” Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers.

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