Ontario Provincial Police have charged a 37-year-old Scarborough man with 11 offences in a multi-jurisdictional human trafficking and child sexual abuse investigation.
Project Shrewsbury began in August 2024 when police forces from Greater Sudbury and Kingston heard about a male allegedly recruiting and transporting two underage females for the purpose of sex trafficking.
Due to the human trafficking element, the investigation was coordinated through the (OPP) Provincial Human Trafficking Intelligence-led Joint Forces Strategy and Peel Regional Police became involved when it was determined the alleged offences against the females took place in the GTA.
On November 20, 2024, the OPP arrested Sheldon Lester and charged him with 11 assault, trafficking, sexual and child pornography-related offences.
The OPP says the victims were taken to places of safety and were given support services.
Police believe there may be additional victims and ask that anyone who has information come forward to their local authorities.