**TIMMINS POLICE SERVICE NEWS RELEASE**

The Timmins Police Service has charged a local man with a number of “Human Trafficking” related offences stemming from a comprehensive investigation undertaken by its Criminal Investigations Division.

Timmins Police Service – Criminal Investigations Division officers have completed a thorough investigation where a series of intimidation based “Human Trafficking” offences involving a woman are alleged to have been committed over a period of time spanning from late March to late April of this year.

As a result of this investigation, and working in collaboration with Victim’s Services Timmins, Michael SMALL, 28, of Timmins, has been charged with:

– Trafficking in a Person contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
– 2 counts of Procuring contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
– Benefitting Materially from Sexual Services contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
– Withholding or Destroying Documents in Relation to Trafficking in a Person contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
The accused remains in custody based on a remand order issued at his bail hearing.

He is required to attend at Provincial Court (video remand) in Timmins on May 10th at 2:00 p.m. to answer to the charges laid against him. This investigation demonstrates the overall effectiveness of the Anti-Human Trafficking campaign undertaken by the Timmins Police Service in conjunction with Victim’s Services Timmins in 2018.

The significant efforts put forth during this campaign focused on prevention of Human Trafficking though extensive public education, offence trait awareness, and prevention initiatives.The Timmins Police Service undertook this campaign in consultation with its community partners at Victims Services – Timmins to better meet the needs of our community in regards to this most current trend in criminal behavior.

The prevalence and destructive nature of these types of offences pose a legitimate threat to the
health, welfare, and safety of persons marginalized by these acts of depravity.
Recognition of the signs of Human Trafficking is a key element in locating persons affected by
this type of criminal behavior and the offenders who seek to benefit criminally at the expense of
the dignity of another person.

Moving forward, the Timmins Police Service will continue to work cohesively with Victim’s
Services and other community agencies to investigate allegations of wrongdoing in regards to
Human Trafficking offences to:
– reduce its impact on our community
– enhance the wellbeing of persons who form part of an identifiable “at risk” demographic
targeted by Human Traffickers
– halt the practitioners of these types of criminal behavior
– refer those at risk to the appropriate service agencies best suited to meet the needs of a
given person
– educate the public in regards to common methods used to lure persons into victimization
at the hands of Human Traffickers.

Anyone with viable information regarding suspected cases of Human Trafficking is encouraged
to call in their information to the Timmins Police Service at 705-264-1201 or by means of Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Filed under: Local News