Assault and weapon-related charges laid in Ottawa human trafficking case
Posted Mar 31, 2020 08:03:00 PM.
A 29-year-old Ottawa man is facing a number charges, including sexual assault and assault causing bodily harm, after an investigation into a local case of human trafficking.
The Ottawa Police Service began an investigation in December of 2019 when its Human Trafficking Unit identified a human trafficking survivor.
Karl Stivens, 29, of Ottawa was charged with:
- Sexual Assault (two counts)
- Assault/cause bodily harm
- Uttering Threats/death bodily harm
- Point a Firearm (two counts)
- Advertising another person's sexual services
- Material benefit from sexual services
- Trafficking in persons by exercising control
- Mischief/damage property not exceeding $5,000
Police say Stivens appeared in court on March 27 and remains in custody.
The Human Trafficking Unit believes that there are more victims in this case who have yet to come forward.
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 at crimestoppers.ca.
