Human trafficking, assault and robbery charges laid against Ottawa man and three teens
Posted Apr 2, 2019 06:53:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Ottawa Police Service continues to investigate after making four arrests related to human trafficking and robberies.
Officers spoke to an underage victim of human trafficking back in February and learned that there were many other victims.
After several days of surveillance, conducted by the OPS' Robbery and Human Trafficking Units, a man and three young offenders were arrested on March 29.
Investigators found that the suspect, known as “MacMac,” was wanted for robberies on Rideau Street, near the Rideau Centre.
John Makenson “MacMac” Bastien, 27, of Ottawa, was charged with:
- Sexual Assault per CCC 271
- Invitation to Sexual Touching per CCC 152
- Sexual Interference per CCC 151
- Extortion per CCC 346
- Criminal Harassment by threats of violence per CCC 264
- Uttering Threats of Violence per CCC 264
- Robbery per CCC 346
- Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence per CCC 465
A 15-year-old girl, of Ottawa, was charged with:
- Trafficking in Persons per CCC 279.01(1)
- Theft not exceeding $5000/General per CCC 334(b)
- Assault causing Bodily Harm per CCC 267(b)
- Robbery per CCC 346
- Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence per CCC 465
A 15-year-old boy, of Ottawa, was charged with:
- Robbery per CCC 346
- Conspiracy to Commit Indictable Offence per CCC 465
- Theft not exceeding $5000/general per CCC 334(b)
And a 16-year-old girl, of Ottawa, was charged with:
- Assault causing Bodily Harm per CCC 267(b)
The three accused all appeared in court on Saturday, March 30, and one was released on a promise to appear at a future date.
“The Human Trafficking Unit is hopeful that as a result of these arrests, more human trafficking victims will come forward and speak to police,” said Sgt. Damien Laflamme with the Ottawa Police Human Trafficking Unit. “We understand the reluctance of survivors in coming forward with information. The Ottawa police will continue to put survivors and their needs first and foremost.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Ottawa Police Human Trafficking Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5005 or 1-800-292-1168. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by downloading the Ottawa Police app.
For more information on how to protect children from child sexual abuse and exploitation, please visit www.protectchildren.ca
Cybertip.ca is Canada's national tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children. Cybertip.ca provides Canadians with information and resources to help keep families safe online.
