Police have charged a 25-year-old Ottawa man with a long list of human trafficking accusations and other related charges.
Police said in a release Wednesday an investigation began last November involving one female victim. The alleged offences occurred between September 2022 and May 2024, police said.
Lochiel McCarthy, 25, of Ottawa is scheduled to appear in court to face the following charges:
- Trafficking in Persons under 18 x 2
- Material Benefit x 2
- Material Benefit under 18
- Procuring under 18 x2
- Advertising another person sexual services
- Sexual Assault
- Assault by choking x 3
- Uttering death threats
- Administering a noxious substance
Investigators believe that there may be other victims of human trafficking related to this investigation.
Police released the suspect’s identity because potential victims may not know Mr. McCarthy’s legal name.
“He is alleged to have used the alias of ‘Lucky’, ‘Lucky number 13’, and ‘13’ “, the police said.
“The Human Trafficking Unit will respect victims’ wishes whether to pursue criminal charges, and regardless, can offer resources to support survivors of human trafficking.
“The reporting of these incidents by victims to police is key for investigators to identify suspects and determine crime trends.
Anyone with information regarding incidents involving this individual is asked to call the Ottawa Police Service Human Trafficking Unit tip line at 613-236-1222 ext. 5625 or email
.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or
crimestoppers.ca
.
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