Toronto man accused of sex trafficking 2 underage girls across Ontario
A Toronto man who allegedly sex trafficked two underage girls across Ontario is facing charges following a multi-jurisdictional police investigation.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced the results of “Project Shrewsbury” on Wednesday and said police in Sudbury and Kingston began investigating in August.
It’s alleged that those two police services received information that month about a male suspect who was “recruiting and transporting two young females” from their jurisdictions for the purpose of sex trafficking.
The OPP’s Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy (IJFS) led the investigation and Peel Regional Police also became involved after police determined the alleged offences against the victims took place somewhere in the Greater Toronto Area.
As a result of the months-long investigation, the OPP said, police arrested and charged 37-year-old Toronto resident Sheldon Lester Saunders on Nov. 20. He’s facing 11 charges, including assault causing bodily harm, advertising sexual services, procuring under 18 years and possession of child pornography.
“The victims are now safe and receiving support. We believe there may be more victims,” Acting Det. Insp. Addison Hunter said in a video posted on social media on Wednesday.
The ages of the victims were not released and it is unclear where exactly the alleged offences occurred.
Saunders is set to appear in a Brampton courtroom on Dec. 16.
OPP is asking anyone with information related to the investigation to contact their local police service.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Liberal leadership: Freeland to announce bid within the next week
Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland will announce her intention to run for the Liberal party leadership just before the U.S. presidential inauguration, a source close to her campaign team says.
Icelandic discount carrier Play Airlines pulls out of Canada, leaving customers in dark
Play Airlines is pulling out of Canada less than two years after entering the market.
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court.
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
Singh calls on Canada to stop critical minerals exports to U.S. amid Trump tariff threat
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the only way to deal with 'bully' U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and his looming tariff threat is to make him feel the 'pain' of Canada's retaliatory measures.
Hanging out at Starbucks will cost you as company reverses its open-door policy
If you want to hang out or use the restroom at Starbucks, you’re going to have to buy something. Starbucks on Monday said it was reversing a policy that invited everyone into its stores.
Bishop's students allege teacher uses degrading terms, university doing nothing
Students at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Que., say they're shocked and appalled by the school's apparent lack of action over a teacher they allege has been using derogatory language in her classroom for years.
Norovirus cases are rising in Canada. Here's advice from a doctor
Canadian health officials are reporting a rising number of cases of the highly contagious norovirus illness in Canada, warning that the elderly and young children are most at risk.
Queen Elizabeth II wasn't told about Soviet spy in her palace, declassified MI5 files show
Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t told details of her long-time art adviser's double life as a Soviet spy because palace officials didn’t want to add to her worries, newly declassified documents reveal.
Live grenade found among scrap metal in Kingston, Ont.: police
Police in Kingston, Ont. say a live grenade was found in a scrap metal container at a local waste facility this weekend.
Montreal
-
Woman stabbed in Montreal's Plateau, police investigating
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating after a woman was stabbed in the Plateau.
-
'Everybody's stunned': Ottawa abruptly pauses electric vehicle rebate program
The federal government has abruptly paused its electric vehicle rebate program.
-
Bishop's students allege teacher uses degrading terms, university doing nothing
Students at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Que., say they're shocked and appalled by the school's apparent lack of action over a teacher they allege has been using derogatory language in her classroom for years.
Ottawa
-
Four arrested after student stabbed during altercation inside Hillcrest High School
Hillcrest High School was on lockdown for several hours on Monday morning.
-
Nearly all of the Rideau Canal Skateway to open Tuesday morning
The National Capital Commission says more ice will be available to skaters on the Rideau Canal Skateway as of Tuesday morning.
-
Dr. Vera Etches gives final update as Ottawa's medical officer of health
Dr. Vera Etches has delivered her final update as medical officer of health to the City of Ottawa's Board of Health. Etches is leaving Ottawa Public Health to become the new president and CEO of CHEO.
Northern Ontario
-
Two killed in Hwy. 63 crash, North Bay OPP say
Two people in a passenger vehicle were killed Monday morning in a collision with a commercial motor vehicle on Highway 63 near Highway 533,
-
Huntsville school bus erupts into flames en route to school
Kids were evacuated from bus moments before it went up in flames.
-
No injuries as abandoned building burns in downtown Timmins
Timmins firefighters responded to a call in the downtown around 4:30 Monday afternoon. Officials told CTV News that a fire broke out in the basement of a vacant building on 3rd Avenue.
Kitchener
-
Community calls for accountability by Waterloo Region’s public school board
There are lingering questions surrounding the sudden departure of the Waterloo Region District School Board’s director of education.
-
Two more arrests in 2019 kidnapping and murder of Kitchener, Ont. man
Ontario Provincial Police have charged two more people with the kidnapping and murder of a Kitchener, Ont. man, bringing the total number of accused to five.
-
Six months into SIU investigation and still no answers into Arthur, Ont. man's death
Six months have passed since Nathaniel Schofield died in police custody and his family wants to know what happened.
London
-
Cold weather alert in effect for Tuesday: MLHU
The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) has issued its first cold weather alert of the year.
-
Youths allegedly assaulted after petting cat in Port Stanley
A man is facing charges in Elgin County after allegedly assaulting some youths on Saturday.
-
Armed robbery leads to charges for London man
Around 1:50 p.m. on Sunday, police say a man went into a grocery store in the 1500-block of Adelaide Street North and placed a number of items inside a bag and left the store without paying.
Windsor
-
Class action lawsuit nears $7.3 million settlement for Westcourt Place tenants
A class action lawsuit filed by Windsor law firm Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP is nearing the finish line and a $7.3 million payout for its members following a fire that has left the Wescourt Place highrise vacant for more than five years.
-
Provincial NDP leader Marit Stiles calls for focus on tariff threat instead of an early election
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles announced her party is ready to work with the Doug Ford government to push back on U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports.
-
IRIS House calls for Windsor’s proposed budget to lift freeze on city subsidy
Management of a supportive living facility in Windsor is urging city council to increase its subsidy, saying the current funding no longer covers the rising costs of housing and caring for individuals with mental health challenges.
Barrie
-
Another historical sexual assault charge laid against Beeton, Ont. man
A Beeton man is facing another count of sexual assault following an investigation by provincial police.
-
Huntsville school bus erupts into flames en route to school
Kids were evacuated from bus moments before it went up in flames.
-
Inmate assault charge stayed against man accused in Elnaz Hajtamiri murder case
Mohamad Lilo, the Montreal-area man scheduled for trial in the alleged kidnapping and murder of his former girlfriend, had his jail assault charge stayed by the Crown during a virtual court appearance Monday.
Winnipeg
-
Murder trial begins for Manitoba man accused of running down, shooting neighbour
A trial has started for a Manitoba man accused of running down and shooting his neighbour before fleeing the province.
-
Survey: Nearly half in Manitoba, Saskatchewan on the financial brink
A new MNP consumer debt report done by Ipsos said in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, nearly half, 49 per cent of people, say they are $200 or less away from not being able to pay their bills or their debt payments at the end of the month.
-
Arrest made in Portage la Prairie double homicide: RCMP
Manitoba RCMP has made an arrest in connection with a double homicide in Portage la Prairie, Man., last month.
Atlantic
-
Woman killed by husband in Mahone Bay, N.S., described as well-loved, funny
Family members of a 60-year-old Nova Scotia woman killed by her partner say she was an 'effortlessly funny' person who could also be lovingly honest and direct.
-
Lower Sackville man left shaken after house fire claims life of six-year-old girl
A Nova Scotia man is left shaken after his neighbour's home in Lower Sackville, N.S., caught fire over the weekend and claimed the life of a child.
-
N.S. man charged with murder in fatal Centreville fire; woman's death suspected intimate partner violence
A man has been charged with second-degree murder following a suspicious fire and death in Centreville, N.S., early Saturday morning.
N.L.
-
Heavy equipment used to bash into a Newfoundland bank for second time in a month
Police in eastern Newfoundland say that for the second time in less than a month thieves have used heavy equipment to smash into a bank and steal an ATM.
-
Yvonne Jones, longtime Liberal MP for Labrador, retiring from federal politics
Liberal MP Yvonne Jones speaks to reporters before a meeting of the Liberal women's caucus, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Jones announced this morning that she will not be running in the next federal election for her seat in Labrador. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
-
Quebec energy deal touted as new chapter for Newfoundland and Labrador heads for vote
A draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for indebted Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for a vote Thursday night at the legislature in St. John's, N.L.
Edmonton
-
Carney to start campaign for federal Liberal leadership Thursday in Edmonton: sources
A big name with ties to the city is expected to launch his bid to become the leader of the federal Liberal party, two sources tell CTV News Edmonton.
-
U.S. man pleads guilty to sexually exploiting Edmonton girl
A U.S. man on Monday pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting an Edmonton girl and smuggling her across the border in 2022.
-
And then there were 3: Vote for Edmonton's city bird in final round
Birds of a feather flock together, proven by the thousands of Edmonton-area residents who cast their vote in the first round of competition to determine the "official" city bird.
Calgary
-
Alberta premier talks about 'tariff-free relationship' with the U.S.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump went well, but the leader's tariff threat has not been averted.
-
Calgary homeowner faces challenge after property assessment jumps 60%
Stan Valant, a long-time resident of Calgary's Silver Springs, is baffled by the city's recent assessment of his bi-level home.
-
Alberta sees 'significant' jump in concern over debt repayment: MNP
A majority of Albertans say they're less optimistic now about their ability to repay personal debt compared to a few months ago.
Regina
-
'Exploring all options': Leaders in Sask. look to next steps as tariffs look likely
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says tariffs are coming and that its time to prepare - which has led to discussions in Saskatchewan over next steps.
-
Former Regina mayoral candidate Nathaniel Hewton released with conditions
Nathaniel Hewton, a mayoral candidate in the 2024 Regina civic election has been released from custody with several conditions in place.
-
Two charged after alleged smuggling of illegal guns into Canada south of Val Marie, Sask.
RCMP say two 19-year-old men are facing multiple weapons charges after they were discovered crossing into and out of the United States illegally south of Val Marie, Sask., allegedly smuggling guns.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. teen who allegedly set classmate on fire scheduled to plea next month
A teen girl who allegedly set her classmate on fire is set to make a plea at Saskatoon Provincial Court next month.
-
Three dead after two separate crashes on Highway 7 west of Saskatoon
Three people are dead following two separate multi-vehicle collisions on a small stretch of Highway 7 on Sunday.
-
Driver killed in single-vehicle crash in Stonebridge on Sunday, police say
Saskatoon police say a driver was killed in an early-morning crash in Stonebridge on Sunday.
Vancouver
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court.
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
-
B.C. Conservatives want RCMP to investigate alleged voting irregularities
The B.C. Conservatives are ratcheting up claims there were "voting irregularities" in a pivotal riding – demanding an "urgent RCMP investigation" into the party's allegations.
-
2nd crew of B.C. wildland firefighters en route to Los Angeles
On Monday afternoon, a team of 23 personnel from the B.C. Wildfire Service boarded a flight from Vancouver to Los Angeles to help battle several out-of-control fires that have left dozens dead and 12,000 structures destroyed.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. Conservatives want RCMP to investigate alleged voting irregularities
The B.C. Conservatives are ratcheting up claims there were "voting irregularities" in a pivotal riding – demanding an "urgent RCMP investigation" into the party's allegations.
-
Poilievre visits B.C. as poll shows Conservative support growing in the province
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre began a weeklong tour of British Columbia on Monday, where recent polling suggests support for his party continues to grow.
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court.
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
