Toronto police say they have arrested and charged a Markham man in connection with a prostitution investigation involving a 17-year-old girl.

"During the summer of 2010, the accused befriended a 17-year-old girl at a TTC subway station," police said Tuesday in a news release.

They allege the accused then procured the girl and made her work as a prostitute.

Police made the arrest last Friday. Dane Osbourne, 23, of Markham faces the following charges:

  • procuring a person to become a prostitute
  • living on the avails of prostitution (under 18)
  • exercising control
  • threatening bodily harm

Osbourne had been scheduled to make a court appearance last Saturday.

Police say they think there may be more victims.

They ask anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-7474, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and a message to CRIMES (274637). Police also have a Facebook account.

No allegations against Osbourne have been proven in a court of law.

New charge in Milton case

Meanwhile, Halton Police say they have laid two new charges against a Milton man arrested last week in connection with a human trafficking investigation.

Police say that Aldain Alando Beckford, 25, is facing a further charge of trafficking of a person under the age of 18, a charge that was added to the Criminal Code in June, along with possession of a controlled substance.

Beckford had been facing 12 charges, including human trafficking, kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault.

The investigation into his case began in Milton, but also has reached Peel region, Niagara Falls and London, Ont.

Beckford will be back before the courts on Oct. 29 for a bail hearing, police said.

A publication ban has been placed on the proceedings, they said.

Police are continuing their investigation, they said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit at either 905-465-8970 or 905-634-1831, ext. 8970. People can also leave anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

No allegations against Beckford have been proven in a court of law.