Two men are facing a combined 20 charges after they allegedly forced a 16-year-old victim into the sex trade and kept her confined to a motel room.
Toronto police say the victim was initially recruited by the two men after a mutual friend introduced them.
At that point, police say the two men took nude photos of the victim and posted them on backpages.com – an escort website – to advertise sexual services.
Police allege that the men then forced the victim to have sex with clients and hand over all of her earnings.
The two men controlled the prices for the sexual services and warned her of their work expectations, police said.
Investigators allege that the men withheld food and water from the victim, took away her clothing and shoes and confined her to a motel room on Kingston Road for three days.
At some point, police say the victim told the men she did not want to work in the sex trade and the men proceeded to threaten her with knives and a pellet gun, which she believed was a real firearm.
Eventually, the girl was able to escape the motel and immediately contacted police.
On July 2, members of the Toronto Police Human Trafficking Enforcement Team arrested two men in connection with the case.
Austin Williamson, 19, and Joshua Presley, 19, both of Toronto, have been charged with numerous offences including trafficking in persons under 18 years, forcible confinement, material benefit from sexual services, sexual assault and print, public, make or possess child pornography.
Both men made an appearance in court on July 3.
Police are concerned there may be more victims.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
