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On March 21, 2024, the Winnipeg Police Service attended a short-term vacation rental residence in the 300 block of Hargrave to check the well-being of an adult female after receiving information from the Québec Police Service that she may be a victim of human trafficking.
At approximately 5:40 p.m., Central General Patrol officers located an 18-year-old female victim and a 24-year-old male suspect within a suite. Officers placed the suspect under arrest without incident.
The Counter-Exploitation Unit assumed the investigation and learned the suspect had met the victim in a bar in Montréal in early January and manipulated her to believe they were involved in a romantic relationship.
During March, investigators learned the suspect transported the victim to four cities in Ontario, working westward and ending in Winnipeg. The victim could not leave hotel rooms or vacation rentals in each location as the suspect held her personal identification and cellular phone. On several occasions, the suspect physically assaulted the victim to prevent her from leaving.
Investigators learned the suspect procured the victim to work for him as an escort selling sexual services. The suspect created and posted a social media advertisement of the victim offering sexual services. The suspect arranged meets between clients and the victim and collected sums of money from the sexual services provided.
On March 21, the victim contacted a friend in Québec who summoned police assistance. After receiving information from and at the request of the Québec Police Service, the Winnipeg Police Service entered into an investigation and located the victim and suspect.
Malik REGELE MARC, 24, of Calgary, is charged with the following offences:
- Trafficking in Persons
- Material Benefit from Sexual Services
- Procuring Person to Provide Sexual Services
- Advertising Sexual Services
- Forcible Confinement
- Assault
He was detained in custody.
The victim was provided short-term support while in the company of investigators, and with assistance from the Québec Police Service and community partners in Winnipeg, she was conveyed back to her home province to the care of family members.
To learn more about human trafficking or to better recognize the signs of human trafficking, please visit the link below: