Ottawa police search for victims in historic human traficking case

OTTAWA – Ottawa police are on the lookout for more victims following the arrest of an Ottawa man on charges of human trafficking.

“The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Human Trafficking Unit charged an Ottawa man with human trafficking-related charges following a thorough investigation into incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2020,” the OPS released in a statement yesterday (Feb. 4).

In early October 2020, the Human Trafficking Unit commenced an investigation after a survivor came forward to police and disclosed information to investigators.

“The information was corroborated through a number of investigative means,” the OPS said.

 In late October, the Human Trafficking Unit charged Danny Naaman, 25 of Ottawa with:

• Trafficking in persons by recruiting, etc
• Trafficking in persons by exercising control, etc
• Financial/material benefit/trafficking person over 18
• Procuring/exercising control
• Material benefit from sexual services
• Advertising another person’s sexual services
• Assault with weapon or imitation weapon
• Assault/cause bodily harm
• Harassment by threatening conduct to other person
• Possess proceeds of property or thing obtained by crime/exceeding $5000
• Possess weapon, etc./for committing an offence
• Assault

“The investigation by the unit led to the identification of a second survivor,” the OPS said. “Disclosed information resulted in further charges laid on Jan. 25, against Naaman for incidents that occurred between 2015 and 2017.”

• Trafficking in persons by exercising control, etc
• Financial/material benefit/trafficking person over 18
• Procuring/exercising control
• Material benefit from sexual services
• Advertising another person’s sexual services
• Assault with weapon
• Aggravated assault
• Harassment by threatening conduct to other person
• Possess proceeds of property or thing obtained by crime/exceeding $5000
• Uttering threats/death or bodily harm

Naaman is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 12.

The Human Trafficking Unit is aware the accused travelled to Kingston, Brockville, Cornwall, Belleville and the Toronto GTA between 2015 and 2020. Ottawa police is urging anyone with further information to come forward, as investigators believe that other victims/survivors have yet to be identified. The police investigation continues.

“The predatory and historic nature of this ongoing investigation suggest more crimes may have committed since 2015,” Sgt. Damien Laflamme of the Human Trafficking Unit said. “We recognize that it can be difficult for survivors to come forward. We urge victims to consider that our Human Trafficking team has significant resources to support and enable anyone to break their silence. We understand the reluctance of survivors wanting to come forward with information however you’re not alone. We will do whatever we can to support you.”

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 crimestoppers.ca