Toronto Duo Charged in Human Trafficking Investigation
Toronto police have laid multiple charges against a man and a woman following a human trafficking investigation. The probe began in April after allegations surfaced that a 23-year-old victim was trafficked through deception, coercion, and control. Investigators allege that the victim was forced to surrender all earnings to the accused and was transported to various locations to meet clients for sexual services.
On Friday, authorities executed a search warrant at a Toronto residence. Kailen Richard Wareham, 35, and Ava Ashouri, 27, both of Toronto, face seven charges each: procuring; trafficking in persons over 18; financial or material benefit from trafficking a person over 18; withholding or destroying travel or identity documents related to trafficking; material benefit from sexual services; advertising another person’s sexual services; and uttering threats. Police believe there may be additional victims and urge anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-4838 or humantrafficking@torontopolice.on.ca, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
Massage Therapist Charged with Sexual Assault
York Regional Police have charged a massage therapist in connection with a sexual assault in Vaughan. On May 9, a victim attended a massage appointment at a wellness clinic near Rutherford Road and Vellore Woods Boulevard, where they were allegedly touched in a sexual manner without consent. On May 11, Thong (Tony) Tran, 55, of Brampton, Ontario, was arrested and charged with sexual assault. Investigators suspect there may be more victims and ask anyone with information to call police at 1-866-876-5423, extension 7071, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Man Wanted for Aggravated Assault
Toronto police are seeking public assistance to locate Omar Attia, 33, of no fixed address, wanted for aggravated assault and other offences. On Saturday, officers responded to an assault call in the Lawrence Avenue East and Kingston Road area. It is alleged that the suspect approached the victim in an apartment building hallway, engaged in a verbal argument, and then punched and kicked the victim multiple times. The victim sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and the two individuals are not known to each other. Attia is also wanted for robbery and failure to comply with a probation order. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
